Pro͞of1, n.
n. [O. Fr. prove, N. Fr. preuve, Pr. prova, proa, Sp. prueba, Pg. & It. prova, pruova, Lat. proba, fr. probare, D. proef, Sw. prof, Dan. pröve, Ger. probe, A-S. prôfian, to prove. See PROVE.]
Sense 1. Any effort, process, or operation designed to establish or discover a fact or truth; test; trial.
You shall have many proofs to show your skill. Ford.
In aught that tries the heart, how few withstand the proof! Byron.
Sense 2. That degree of evidence which convinces the mind of the certainty of truth or fact, and produces belief.
I will have some proof. Shak.
This has neither evidence of truth, nor proof sufficient to give it warrant. Hooker.
☞ Properly speaking, proof is the effect or result of evidence; evidence is the medium of proof.
Sense 3. The condition or quality of having been proved or tried; firmness or hardness that resists impression, or yields not to force; impenetrability of physical bodies; as, a wall that is proof against shot.
Sense 4. Firmness of mind; stability not to be shaken.
Sense 5. The act of testing the strength of alcoholic spirits; also, the degree of strength; as, high proof; first proof; second, third, or fourth proof.
Formerly a very rude mode of ascertaining the strength of spirits was practiced, called the proof; the spirit was poured on gunpowder, and inflamed. If, at the end of the combustion, the gunpowder took fire, the spirit was said to be above proof. Ure.
Sense 6. (Print.) A trial impression from types, an engraved plate, &c., taken for correction;—called also proof-sheet.
Sense 7. Armor sufficiently firm to resist impression. [Obs.] Shak.
Proof-impression, an early impression of an engraving, considered the best, as being first taken.—Proof-proof, proof against proof. [Rare.] That might have shown to any one who was not proof-proof. Whately. Syn.—Testimony; evidence; reason; argument; evidence; trial; demonstration. See TESTIMONY.