Proof
(Proof) n. [OF. prove, proeve, F. preuve, fr. L. proba, fr. probare to prove. See Prove.]
1. Any effort, process, or operation designed to establish or discover a fact or truth; an act of testing; a
test; a trial.
For whatsoever mother wit or art
Could work, he put in proof.
Spenser.
You shall have many proofs to show your skill.
Ford.
Formerly, a very rude mode of ascertaining the strength of spirits was practiced, called the proof.
Ure. 2. That degree of evidence which convinces the mind of any truth or fact, and produces belief; a test by
facts or arguments that induce, or tend to induce, certainty of the judgment; conclusive evidence; demonstration.
I'll have some proof.
Shak.
It is no proof of a man's understanding to be able to confirm whatever he pleases.
Emerson. Properly speaking, proof is the effect or result of evidence, evidence is the medium of proof. Cf. Demonstration,
1.
3. The quality or state of having been proved or tried; firmness or hardness that resists impression, or
does not yield to force; impenetrability of physical bodies.
4. Firmness of mind; stability not to be shaken.
5. (Print.) A trial impression, as from type, taken for correction or examination; — called also proof
sheet.
6. (Math.) A process for testing the accuracy of an operation performed. Cf. Prove, v. t., 5.
7. Armor of excellent or tried quality, and deemed impenetrable; properly, armor of proof. [Obs.] Shak.
Artist's proof, a very early proof impression of an engraving, or the like; — often distinguished by the
artist's signature. — Proof reader, one who reads, and marks correction in, proofs. See def. 5, above.
Syn. — Testimony; evidence; reason; argument; trial; demonstration. See Testimony.
Proof
(Proof), a.
1. Used in proving or testing; as, a proof load, or proof charge.
2. Firm or successful in resisting; as, proof against harm; waterproof; bombproof.
I . . . have found thee
Proof against all temptation.
Milton.
This was a good, stout proof article of faith.
Burke. 3. Being of a certain standard as to strength; — said of alcoholic liquors.
Proof charge (Firearms), a charge of powder and ball, greater than the service charge, fired in an
arm, as a gun or cannon, to test its strength. — Proof impression. See under Impression. — Proof
load (Engin.), the greatest load than can be applied to a piece, as a beam, column, etc., without straining
the piece beyond the elastic limit. — Proof sheet. See Proof, n., 5. - - Proof spirit (Chem.), a
strong distilled liquor, or mixture of alcohol and water, containing not less than a standard amount of
alcohol. In the United States "proof spirit is defined by law to be that mixture of alcohol and water which
contains one half of its volume of alcohol, the alcohol when at a temperature of 60° Fahrenheit being of
