proof--prophetes.ai

▪ I. proof, n.
    (pruːf)
    Forms: α. preve, prefe, etc.; β. prove, proof, etc.: see below.
    [ME. preove, proeve, preve, etc., a. OF. prueve (c 1224 in Godef. Compl.), proeve, preve, proeuve (from 13th c. and in mod.F. preuve) = Pr. and Pg. prova, Sp. prueba, Cat. proba, It. prova, † pruova:—late L. proba (Ammianus a 400) a proof, f. probāre to prove. The α forms were the original, corresp. to OF. and to Sp. prueba; they continued longer in Sc. The β forms (also in late OF. prouve, prove, 14th c. in Littré) are assimilated in the vowel to F. prouver, Eng. prove v. The devocalization of v to f ensued upon the loss of final e; cf. the relation of v and f in believe, belief, relieve, relief, behove, behoof, etc.]
    A. Illustration of Forms.
    (α) 3 preoue, 4 proeue, prieve, 4–5 pref, preef, 4–6 prefe, preve, Sc. preiff, 5 proef, preff(e, preeff, preyf, prewe, 5–6 prief(e, preif, 6 preife, pryef, preeue, pryve, Sc. prieff; 8–9 arch. prief, dial. preef, prief, preif.

a 1225 Ancr. R. 154 Ich chulle, of bo two, scheawen uorbisne & preoue. c 1325, 13.. Pref [see B. 2, 7]. 1340 Ayenb. 134 Wyþ-oute oþre proeue. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints i. (Petrus) 187 As men may preiff furth bringe. c 1380 Prefe [see B. 4]. c 1386 Chaucer Clerk's T. 731 This Markys yet his wyf to tempte moore To the outtreste preeue [v. rr. preue, priue, proef, preef] of hir corage. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 71 Þe fourþe witnesse and preef. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 227 Sothliche I lieve And durste setten it in prieve. c 1400 Ragman Roll 122 in Hazl. E.P.P. I. 74 For your dedys preyf. c 1420 Lydg. Thebes 2326 That she thought forto mak a prief. 1422 tr. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv. 216 Wythout longe Prewe. c 1430 Preef; 1436 Preffe [see B. 7, 8]. c 1440 Generydes 1453 Other wise thanne he cowde make the preff. 1499 Exch. Rolls Scotl. XI. 436 The preve that Sir Patrik Hume offeris to produce. c 1570 Pride & Lowl. (1841) 36 Of truth and vertue for to maken pryef. 1572 Preuis; a 1584 Preif [see B. 1 c]. 1590 Priefe, Prief [see B. 5, 10]. 1591 Spenser M. Hubberd 408 But readie are of anie to make preife. 1594 Carew Tasso (1881) 18 He showes in hoarie lockes of strength the preeue. a 1796 Burns Troker in Ainslie Land of Burns (1892) 188 Let's see How ye'll pit this in prief to me.

(β) 4–5 prooff, 4–5 prof, proff, Sc. pruf(f, 4–6 proue, profe, Sc. prowe, 5–6 proufe, -ffe, prove, prooue, 5–7 proofe, proffe, Sc. prufe, 6 prooffe, 7 Sc. pruife, 5– proof. (Sc. pruife, etc. ({smY}, {obar}).) pl. proofs; also 4–7 proues, 5 prouves, 5–7 proves, 6–7 prooves.

c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 341 Bi profe & gode assaies. 13.. Cursor M. 6865 Thoru proue [Gött. prof] o seluen dede. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxiii. (VII Sleperis) 10 Be verray prowe. Ibid. xxvii. (Machor) 941 Swa with prooff of mychtfull dede he strinthit alway godis sede. c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 70 Þe dede doynge is proff of loue. Ibid. 290 Examyne here proues. 1425 Prouves; c 1430 Prouffe [see B. 1 c, 4 b]. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 414/2 Proof, idem quod preef. 1456 Pruf [see B. 2]. c 1500 Not-br. Mayd 470 in Hazl. E.P.P. II. 291, I see the proue. 1526 Tindale 2 Cor. viii. 24 The proffe off youre love. a 1562 G. Cavendish Poems, etc. (1825) II. 115 The proue in me ye may playnly se the vse. 1570 Dee Math. Pref. *j b, His bookes..are good profe. 1581 Mulcaster Positions iii. (1887) 11 No proufe at all. a 1595 Southwell Wks. (1828) II. 38 So many proofs would persuade thee. 1609 Prufe [see B. 1 b]. 1637 Proofe [see B. 2]. 1639 S. Du Verger tr. Camus' Admir. Events 341 Proffes of the greatnesse of my freindship. 1683 Proves, Prooves [see B. 12, 16].

B. Signification. I. From prove v. in the sense of making good, or showing to be true.
1. a. That which makes good or proves a statement; evidence sufficient (or contributing) to establish a fact or produce belief in the certainty of something. † to make proof: to have weight as evidence (obs.).

a 1225 Ancr. R. 52 Þet hit beo soð, lo her þe preoue. a 1300 Cursor M. 8708 (Cott.) Proue yee see þat þar es nan. c 1385 Chaucer L.G.W. Prol. 28 We han noon other preue. 1437 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 510/2 Till the said examination and previs be fully determined. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 70 b, Very pledges and sure proues of the kynges fauoure. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 249 Hereof they bryng manye proues. 1659 Owen Div. Orig. Script. Wks. 1853 XVI. 319 Light requires neither proof nor testimony for its evidence. 1759 Robertson Hist. Scot. iv. Wks. 1813 I. 318 These suspicions are confirmed by the most direct proof. 1832 R. & J. Lander Exped. Niger I. vi. 232 As a proof of his esteem and confidence. 1883 W. E. Norris Thirlby Hall xxxi, Which was proof positive that he had thought better of his intention. 1927 A. H. McNeile Introd. to N.T. 13 He therefore makes no use of proof-texts, and no suggestions that Christianity is the real and ‘fulfilled’ Judaism. His sole ‘proofs’ are the actual words and deeds of the Master and the effects which they produced. 1945 R. Knox God & Atom iii. 42 In the long run, you felt, the first three Proofs stood or fell by the value of the causality argument.

b. Law. (generally) Evidence such as determines the judgement of a tribunal. Also spec. (a) A written document or documents so attested as to form legal evidence. (b) A written statement of what a witness is prepared to swear to. (c) The evidence which has been given in a particular case, and entered on the court records. (See also 3.)

1481 Coventry Leet Bk. 473 No feynied matiers but such as shall be proved be credible proves in writyng. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 284 b/1 Yf the preues of the lignages were fayled. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i. 67 b, It is in the election of him quha is accused, to vnderly the prufe of the woman, or to purge him be judgement, or ane gude assise of the crime quhereof he is accused. Ibid. 106 b, Gif the partie defendand that day of prufe, be absent; and the party followand being present with his prufe in his hand and swa the partie defendand be not ready or present, to receiue the prufe against him. a 1715 Burnet Own Time an. 1678 (1823) II. 445 The proof did not carry it beyond manslaughter. 1768 Blackstone Comm. III. xxiii. 368 Written proofs, or evidence, are, 1. Records, and 2. Antient deeds of thirty years standing, which prove themselves. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) IV. 231 It being in proof that the draft was not completed till six months after instructions had been given for preparing it. 1863 H. Cox Instit. i. ix. 172 A statement showing all matters required to be proved, and opposite each proof the name of the witness to prove it. 1883 Act 46 & 47 Vict. c. 52. Sched. ii. 7 Every creditor who has lodged a proof shall be entitled to see and examine the proofs of other creditors.

† c. A person who gives evidence; a witness: = evidence n. 7. Obs. (After 1500 only Sc.)

1425 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 289/2 That the same Marchant..do brynge..two prouves of Marchantz. 1449 Ibid. V. 145/2 Other resonable witnesse and proves sworne. 1456 Sir G. Haye Law Arms (S.T.S.) 73 Gif men suld be prufis thame selff. 1572 Sc. Acts Jas. VI (1814) III. 72/1 That the disobedient obstinat and relaps persounis..sall not be admittit as preuis witnessis or Assysouris aganis ony professing þe trew Religioun. a 1584 Montgomerie Cherrie & Slae 761 For I myself can be ane preif And witness thairintill.

2. The action, process, or fact of proving, or establishing the truth of, a statement; the action of evidence in convincing the mind; demonstration.

c 1325 Song of Yesterday 171 in E.E.P. (1862) 137 And i say nay and make a pref. 1456 Sir G. Haye Law Arms (S.T.S.) 74 Gif I faile of my pruf.., the juge may assoilȝe my party. 1480 Coventry Leet Bk. 461 In prove þerof the procession weye on þe South syde of the seid Churche..was where the south baye of the seid Churche ys nowe. 1637 Star Chamb. Decree §21 in Milton's Areop. (Arb.) 19 Vpon complaint and proofe made thereof. 1718 Hickes & Nelson J. Kettlewell ii. lvi. 175 They put the King upon the Proof that they had presented such a Petition. 1848 Keble Serm. 386 The burthen of proof was of course thrown on the heresiarch. 1860 Tyndall Glac. ii. v. 252 This is all capable of experimental proof. Mod. In proof of this assertion, I may state [etc.].

3. Sc. Law. Evidence given before a judge, or a commissioner representing him, upon a record or an issue framed in pleading; the taking of such evidence by a judge in order to a trial; hence, trial before a judge instead of by a jury.
This distinctive development of sense has gradually taken place since the introduction of trial by jury into Scotland in 1815.

1838 W. Bell Dict. Law Scot. 373 The duties of commissioners in taking proofs, under authority of the Court of Session, are pointed out by the acts of Sederunt 11th March 1800, and 22d June 1809. 1845 Polson in Encycl. Metrop. II. 853/1 The proof is taken in the presence of a commissioner appointed by the Lord Ordinary, who examines the witnesses, commits their depositions to writing, and reports the whole, either to the Lord Ordinary or to the court, according to his directions. 1879 Mackay Pract. Crt. of Session II. 10 Under the existing practice a certain discretion is exercised by the Court in determining what causes are..fitted for proof before a judge and not by jury trial. 1890 Watson Bell's Dict. Law Scot. 615/1 By §4 of the Evidence Act, 1866, proof may be taken before the Lord Ordinary, without jury, in any cause, ‘if both parties consent thereto, or if special cause be shown’. 1903 J. Rankine Princ. Law Scot. 551 When the Lord Ordinary takes a proof, each party adduces witnesses to prove his statements, and the proof is followed by a hearing on evidence [i.e. a hearing of counsel on the evidence]. Ibid., Where the parties are agreed as to the necessity for inquiry regarding the facts, the Lord Ordinary appoints a diet of proof, or in certain cases orders issues with a view to the trial of the cause by a jury. 1908 Scots Law Times 14 Mar. XV. 958/1 The Lord Ordinary held that the case was one for proof not jury trial. Ibid. 959/1 Lord Guthrie. ‘I think it ought to be sent to proof and not to jury trial.’

II. From prove v. in the sense of trying or testing.
4. a. The action or an act of testing or making trial of anything, or the condition of being tried; test, trial, experiment; examination, probation; assay. Often in phrases to bring, put, set, etc. (something) in, on, to (the, † a) proof.

c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 384 We mot take hede to þe rewle of prefe..by her werkis ȝe schul knowe hem. c 1386 [see A. α]. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 412/1 Preef, or a-say(y)nge, examinacio. 1523 Fitzherb. Surv. 13 b, That there may be made due proues without fauoure, bribery, or extorcyon. 1683 Moxon Mech. Exerc., Printing xvi, Without several Proofs and Tryings, [the mould] cannot be expected to be perfectly true. 1727 A. Hamilton New Acc. E. Ind. I. p. xxix, I leave them to my Reader, with the old Proverb to accompany them, that the Proof of the Pudding is in eating it. 1805 Southey Madoc in W. vi. ad fin., If thy heart Be harden'd to the proof, come when thou wilt. 1842 Tennyson Locksley Hall 77 Drug thy memories, lest thou learn it, lest thy heart be put to proof. 1861 Fairbairn Iron. Manuf. 150 Some large pump-rods.. were required to stand a proof of 120,000 lbs. per square inch.

b. Arith. An operation serving to test or check the correctness of an arithmetical calculation.
(Sometimes understood as in sense 2.)

c 1430 Art Nombryng 6 The subtraccioun is none other but a prouffe of the addicioun, and the contrarye in like wise. 1594 Blundevil Exerc. i. iii. (1636) 9 In making which proofe or tryall you cannot likely erre. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. s.v. Multiplication, The Proof of Multiplication can only certainly be effected by Division. 1827 Hutton Course Math. I. 40 The method of Proof, and the reason of the Rule, are the same as in Simple Multiplication.

† 5. The action or fact of passing through or having experience of something; also, knowledge derived from this; experience. Obs.

a 1300 Cursor M. 20005 (Cott.) Þe apostels..Þai did þam⁓seluen al to proue, O ded for þair lauerd be-houe. 1399 Langl. Rich. Redeles Prol. 17 It passid my parceit, and my preifis also, How so wondirffull werkis wolde haue an ende. c 1400 Destr. Troy 5525 Epistaphus, to preue, was his pure nome. 1544 Suppl. to Henry VIII in Four Supplic. (1871) 40 Of whom they haue proue & sure knowledge. 1590 Spenser F.Q. i. viii. 43 Good growes of evils priefe. Ibid. ii. i. 48 Tell what fatall priefe Hath with so huge misfortune you opprest. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 392 A fountaine..of Tarre, whereof wee had good vse and proofe in our ship.

† 6. A trial, attempt, essay, endeavour. Obs.

1575 Churchyard Chippes (1817) 156 Yet diuers proues were made the breach to view, And some were slayne, that dyd assayle the same. 1628 Hobbes Thucyd. (1822) 119 They thought this accident (especially being their first proof by sea) very much against reason.

† 7. That which anything proves or turns out to be; the issue, result, effect, fulfilment; esp. in phrase to come to proof. Obs.

13.. Sir Beues (A.) 4030 Þe king Yuor hadde a þef: God him ȝeue euel pref, For þat he kouþe so wel stele! c 1430 How Wise Man tauȝt his Son 62 in Babees Bk. (1868) 50 And flee al letcherie in wil and dede Lest þou come to yuel preef. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon vii. 161 Some of you speketh now hye, that whan the dede shall come to preeff, he shall be full lowe. 1575–85 Abp. Sandys Serm. xv. (Parker Soc.) 301 The timeliest fruit often cometh to least proof. 1599 Hakluyt Voy. II. i. 85 The most part of the sayd mines came to no proofe though they put fire in them. 1607–12 Bacon Ess., Parents & Childr. (Arb.) 274 The proofe is best, when Men keepe theire authoritye towardes theire Children, but not theire purse.

8. esp. The fact, condition, or quality of proving good, turning out well, or producing good results; thriving; good condition, good quality; goodness, substance. Now only dial.

[1436 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 161 The wolle of Spayne hit cometh not to preffe, But if [= unless] it be tosed and menged welle Amonges Englysshe wolle the gretter delle.] 1616 Surfl. & Markh. Country Farme i. xxiv. 105 When you haue fed your Swine to his full proofe. 1725 Bradley Fam. Dict. s.v. Sainfoin, This sort of Grass has obtain'd the Preference above Clover-Grass in England, as continuing longer in Proof than it. 1854 Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc. XV. ii. 404 This is not found to deteriorate their bulk, or the ‘proof’ or quality of keeping. 1862 Q. Rev. Apr. 287 Sainfoin..the aftermath is invaluable for securing the high and rapid proof of lambs. 1893 Wilts. Gloss., Proof, of manure, hay, &c., the strength or goodness... A thriving tree is said to be in ‘good proof’.

9. a. The testing of cannon or small fire-arms by firing a heavy charge, or by hydraulic pressure. proof of (gun) powder, the testing of the propulsive force of gunpowder.

1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. v. xii. 64 What Powder is allowed for Proof, and what for Action of each Piece. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XV. 589/1 Proof of Powder, is in order to try its goodness and strength. 1859 F. A. Griffiths Artill. Man. (1862) 57 All Ordnance..are subject to the Water proof. This is done by means of a forcing pump.

b. A place for testing fire-arms or explosives.

1760 Chron. in Ann. Reg. 146/1 At a proof at Woolwich warren, a smoke-ball burst. 1883 Pall Mall G. 6 Apr. 7/1 The box..proved, on investigation, to contain about 200 lb. of nitroglycerine... A sample was kept, while the bulk was taken to one of the ‘proofs’ on the marshes.

10. a. The condition of having successfully stood a test, or the capability of doing so; proved or tested power; orig. of armour and arms, whence transf. and fig.: impenetrability, invulnerability. arch.
Often in phrase armour (etc.) of proof: cf. proof a. 1; at the proof, so as to be proof; to the proof, to the utmost, in the highest degree. proof of lead or shot (cf. proof a. 1), the quality of being proof against leaden bullets.

1456 Sir G. Haye Law Arms (S.T.S.) 85 The traist that he has in his gude armouris makis him hardy.., for thai ar of prove. 15.. Sir A. Barton in Surtees Misc. (1888) 72 Then he put on the armere of prooffe. c 1585 Faire Em iii. iv, Should they haue profered it, her chaste minde hath proofe enough to preuent it. 1590 Sir J. Smyth Disc. Weapons 14 Manie Captaines and Officers of footmen were armed at the proofe of the Harquebuze. 1590 Spenser F.Q. i. x. 24 Salves and med'cines, which had passing prief. 1621 Fletcher Wild Goose Chase iii. i, We must be patient; I am vex'd to th' proof too. 1678 Bunyan Pilgr. i. 173, I was cloathed with Armour of proof. ? a 1700 Judgments upon Persecutors 50 (Jam.) Knowing he had proof of lead, [he] shot him with a silver button. 1871 Palgrave Lyr. Poems 102 Nor whether his shield be of proof.

b. Proof armour. Hist.

1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. x. 419 Corsletis of profe. a 1625 Fletcher Chances i. x, Ye clap on proof upon me. 1956 W. S. Churchill Hist. Eng.-Speaking Peoples I. ii. i. 126 They..were clad in proof, but..they cast aside their ring-mail.

c. The process of stiffening hats and rendering them waterproof. Cf. proof v. 2.

1901 Daily News 15 Jan. 6/3 The bursting of a stove in what is called the proof shop of the works, where hats are dried after proof.

11. a. The standard of strength of distilled alcoholic liquors (or of vinegar); now, the strength of a mixture of alcohol and water having a specific gravity of 0·91984, and containing 0·495 of its weight, or 0·5727 of its volume, of absolute alcohol. Also transf. Spirit of this strength.

1705 tr. Bosman's Guinea 403 For Proof [of the brandy] there was a little Spanish Soap clapt into it, and the Scum of the Soap passed on them for the Proof. 1711 Lond. Gaz. No. 4790/4, 5 Pipes of French Brandy, full Proof. 1725 Ibid. No. 6437/1 Brandy or Spirits above Proof. 1748 H. Ellis Hudson's Bay 175 All the Liquors under the Proof of common Spirits, freeze to a State perfectly solid. 1826 in Hone Every-day Bk. II. 862 The bar was crowded with applicants for ‘full proof’, and ‘the best cordials’. 1856 Kane Arct. Expl. I. xiii. 146 A bottle of Monongahela whiskey of good stiff proof froze under Mr. Bonsall's head.

b. In sugar-boiling: The degree of concentration at which the syrup will successfully crystallize.

1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., Proof, in the sugar trade, a term used by the refiners of sugar for the proper state of the dissolved sugar when it should be set to harden.

c. The aeration of dough by leaven before baking. Cf. prove v. 1 g.

1903 Kipling Five Nations 23 There is no proof in the bread we eat or rest in the toil we ply. 1961 Sunday Times 5 Feb. 30/4 You knead it [sc. the dough] again, but this time for a few minutes only—just to ‘knock out the proof’, as the bakers say.

    III. That which is produced as a test; a means or instrument for testing.
    12. Typog. A trial or preliminary impression taken from composed type, in which typographical errors may be corrected, and alterations and additions made.
    Applied esp. to the first proof; a second or later one being called a revise: see revise n. 3; see also quot. 1842.

[1563: see probe n. 3.] 1600 W. Watson Decacordon (1602) 345, I was not present..: nor had I the sight of one proofe vntill the whole booke was out in print. 1612 [see revise n. 3]. 1613 Chapman Masque Inns of Court Pref., Plays 1873 III. 96 The Printer..neuer sending me a proofe till he had past those speeches. 1655 tr. Com. Hist. Francion x. 24 We did all go to the Printers house, where we did find him correcting Proofs. 1683 Moxon Mech. Exerc., Printing i, The Correcter [would] not read Proves. 1771 Luckombe Hist. Print. 440 Deliver them to the Pressmen to pull a Proof of them. 1842 Brande Dict. Sc. etc. s.v., First proof..is the impression with all the errors of workmanship. After, it is read and corrected..another impression is printed with more care, to send to the author; this is termed a clean proof. 1878 Huxley Physiogr. Pref. 9, I have carefully revised the proofs of every chapter.

13. a. Engraving. Originally, An impression taken by the engraver from an engraved plate, stone, or block, to examine its state during the progress of his work; now applied to each of a limited or arbitrary number of careful impressions made from the finished plate before the printing of the ordinary issue, and usually before the inscription is added (in full, proof before letter(s)).
artist's proof or engraver's proof, a proof taken for examination or alteration by the artist or engraver; signed proof, an early proof signed by the artist. letter proof or lettered proof, a proof with the signatures of the artist and engraver, and the inscription. marked, remarque, touched, trial, wax proof: see these words.

1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XV. 590/1 Proofs of Prints were anciently a few impressions taken off in the course of an engraver's process,..and when they were complete. 1853 ‘C. Bede’ Verdant Green vii, The panels were covered with the choicest engravings (all proofs-before-letters). 1890 Pall Mall G. 26 Apr. 3/1 An artist's proof..originally meant that proof of an engraving which was sent to the artist for approval and remarks. But the term..is now applied to a certain number of early impressions carefully made, and signed by the artist.

b. Photogr. A first or trial print taken from a plate; also used as equivalent to print (n. 13).

1855 T. F. Hardwich Photogr. Chem. v. 50 It is necessary to remove the unaltered Chloride or Iodide of Silver which surrounds the image, in order to render the proof permanent. Ibid. x. 180 On the use of the hyposulphite of gold in colouring photographic proofs. 1948 C. Abel Business of Photogr. xxxix. 357 Ownership of the proofs submitted by a portrait photographer to a customer has long been a matter of argument in the profession. 1960 Mortensen & Dunham How to pose Model (ed. 3) xii. 152 As soon as you have picked out the proofs that you want to make into prints, destroy all the others.

14. † A coin or medal struck as a test of the die (obs.); also, one of a limited number of early impressions of coins struck as specimens.
These often have their edges left plain and not milled; they may also be executed in a metal different from that used for the actual coin.

1762–71 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Paint. (1786) III. 176 On the proofs were the king's and queen's heads on different sides, with a rose, a ship, &c. but in 1694 it was resolved, that the heads should be coupled, and Britannia be on the reverse. 1889 J. Atkins Coins & Tokens of Possessions & Colonies of Brit. Empire 5 Proofs exist of both these pieces. 1901 Daily Chron. 4 Nov. 5/1 A limited number were issued to certain collectors with unmilled edges—these coins being called ‘proofs’—a course which was followed in the Jubilee issue. 1920 Brit. Numismatics Jrnl. 1918 IV. 131 The same artist issued proofs either for a sixpence or a farthing. 1969 Times 21 July p. v/4 Proofs (special coins struck from highly polished dies mainly for collectors) have been issued for this denomination. 1977 Times 5 May 20/2 Jubilee crown proofs are in silver.

15. An instrument, vessel, or the like for testing. † a. A surgeon's probe. Obs. rare^—0.
(Perhaps only an etymologizing invention of Cotgrave.)

1611 Cotgr., Curette, a Chirurgions Proofe, or Probe; an instrument wherewith he sounds the bladder [etc.]. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Probe or Proof (the Fr. call it curette) a Chyrurgeons Instrument, wherewith he tries the depth of wounds [etc.].

b. (a) A test-tube. (b) An apparatus for testing the strength of gunpowder.

1790 Crawford in Phil. Trans. LXXX. 397 A portion of the cancerous virus, diffused through distilled water, was introduced into a small proof. Ibid. 406 The liquor..was put into a proof, to the bottom of which heat was applied. 1800 Ibid. XC. 207 A common gunpowder proof, capable of containing eleven grains of fine gunpowder, was filled with it, and fired in the usual way. 1828 Brande in Lancet 7 June 292/1 Here are some little phials, called in the glass⁓houses proofs. c 1860 Faraday Forces Nat. ii. 197 note, Thick Glass Vessels..called Proofs or Bologna phials.

† 16. Typog. A definite number of ems placed in the composing-stick as a pattern of the length of the line. Obs.
[The width of pages is expressed according to the number of ‘ems’. Encycl. Brit. 1888.]

1683 Moxon Mech. Exerc., Printing xvi, He sets up his Prooves in the Composing-stick.

17. Bookbinding. The rough uncut edges of the shorter or narrower leaves of a book, left in trimming it to show that it has not been cut down.

1890 J. W. Zaehnsdorf Bookbinding 57 A few leaves should always be left not cut with the plough, to show that the book has not been cut down. These few leaves are called proof, and are always a mark of careful work. 1908 A. W. Pollard Let. to Editor, Our binder's head man tells me that when I write ‘not to be cropped’ he translates it to the men under him as ‘leave proof’.

IV. 18. attrib. and Comb. a. General Combs. in senses 1–4, as proof needle, proof object, proof paper, proof passage, proof patch, proof piece, proof test, proof text; proof-producing, proof-proof adjs.; in sense 4, as proof-test vb.; in sense 9, as proof-butts, proof-charge, proof-ground, proof-house, proof-master, proof-mortar (mortar n.¹), proof-sleigh; in senses 12–14, as proof coin, proof copy, proof-correct vb., to correct in proof, proof-correcting, proof-correction, proof-corrector, proof-galley, proof impression, proof-plate (plate n. 6 b), proof print, proof-printer, proof-puller, proof-pulling, proof set, proof stage, proof state.

1907 Daily Chron. 3 Jan. 7/1 A serious accident..at the *proof butts on Plumstead Marshes.

1727 Swift Art Pol. Lying Wks. 1755 III. i. 122 A proof-lye is like a *proof-charge for a piece of ordnance, to try a standard credulity. 1894 Field 9 June 815/1 The proof-charge of powder with the 4-bore is 50 per cent. greater than the proof-charge of the 8-bore.

1949 W. H. Sheldon Early Amer. Cents 1793–1814 i. 39 *Proof coins were never struck for circulation... Proofs were first used as presentation pieces. 1969 Coin Investor 18 Jan. 3/1 The difference between a proof coin and a brilliant uncirculated one is that a proof coin has been specially struck on a highly polished die. 1976 National Observer (U.S.) 17 Jan. 17/4 (Advt.), Highly sought after by collectors, Proof coins are the ultimate expression of the minting art. Dies and solid gold blanks are polished by hand to a mirror finish.

1806 Scott Let. Oct. (1932) I. 327, I would like to see them in the *proof copy in case any minute alterations may yet occur to me. 1975 A. Powell Hearing Secret Harmonies ii. 66 He held under his arm what looked like the proof copy of a book.

1803 Lamb Let. to Coleridge 20 Mar., I feel myself..accessory to the selection, which I am to *proof-correct. 1890 Pall Mall G. 29 Aug. 2/1 To have it written by other people in time for himself to proof-correct it.

1850 W. M. Thackeray Let. June in H. Ritchie Lett. A. T. Ritchie (1924) iii. 29 Then comes printing and *proof correcting & so forth. 1855 H. Martineau Autobiog. II. 40, I highly enjoyed the proof-correcting.

1905 A. E. Burn Niceta of Remesiana Pref. 3 Little leisure for *proof-correction. 1940 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 677/2 Proof corrections, additions or emendations to a proof. They should be made in ink, and clearly indicated in the margin. 1978 Hart's Rules for Compositors & Readers (ed. 38) 34 (heading) Proof-correction marks.

1928 L. P. Smith Words & Idioms 162 We are becoming more and more the slaves of schoolmasters and *proof-correctors. 1932 A. E. Housman Let. 19 June (1971) 322 On p. 32 the proof-corrector has again given directions for making a change which ought not to be made.

1896 T. L. De Vinne Moxon's Mech. Exerc., Printing 407 The long *proof-galley of brass.

1712 Lond. Gaz. No. 5026/7 The Place now used for a *Proof-house. 1846 Greener Sc. Gunnery 203 The Company of Gunmakers of the City of London instituted a proof-house, at which the barrels of respectable makers were all sent to be proved. 1891 Daily News 29 Apr. 5/6 There are in Europe five ‘proving houses’ or testing places for firearms. Of the Birmingham and London proof houses all people have heard.

1806–7 J. Beresford Miseries Hum. Life (1826) ix. xxii, *Proof impressions of the grain of the footman's thumb printed off..upon the rim of your plate. 1910 Connoisseur Oct. 93/1 How to distinguish Proof Impressions.

1707 Chamberlayne Pres. St. Eng. iii. xi. 379 To see that all Provisions received, be good and serviceable, and duly proved, with the Assistance of..the *Proof-Masters, and marked with the Queen's Mark. 1833 J. Holland Manuf. Metal II. 95 Government authorised the gun-makers of Birmingham to erect a proof-house of their own, with wardens and a proof-master.

1839 Ure Dict. Arts 626 The result of more than two hundred discharges with the *proof-mortar.

1849 Noad Electricity (ed. 3) 285 Suspending a small *proof needle, with a silk fibre, and causing it to oscillate horizontally opposite different points of a magnetic bar placed vertically.

1837 Goring & Pritchard Microgr. 93 Directions..for the management of *proof-objects in the Amician catadioptric engiscope.

1759 H. Walpole Let. to G. Montagu 17 Nov., You shall see the documents, as it is the fashion to call *proof papers.

1895 Salmond Chr. Doctr. Immort. iv. iii. 456 Taken as one of the primary *proof-passages for the dogma of the Descent to Hell.

1816 Keatinge Trav. I. 11 note, This place is a residue of a wreck of nature; it is a *proof-patch of former level.

1594 J. Dickenson Arisbas (1878) 41 It seemed nature and vertue..had conspired to make her a peere-lesse *proofe⁓peece of their vnited perfections.

1783 F. Burney Diary 10 Jan., Mr. Seward has sent me a *proof plate..of an extremely fine impression of this dear Doctor [Johnson].

1818–60 Whately Commpl. Bk. (1864) 231 [This] you can prove (to any one who is not *proof-proof).

1899 Daily News 20 Nov. 11/6 *Proofpuller seeks situation, Press, assist Machine, or other offer.

1900 Ibid. 12 Oct. 10/3 Man (young) wanted, in printing office, for *proof-pulling.

1879 H. Phillips Notes Coins 14 A number of fine *proof sets, and coins, of the United States mint.

1895 F. M. Ford Let. (1965) 8 You may tell Longmans that W.M.R. had offered to revise my chapters as they go to Press wh. is better than in the *proof stage I shd. think. 1966 N. Nicolson in H. Nicolson Diaries & Lett., 1930–1939 118 The name had to be altered again..at proof-stage.

1910 Connoisseur Oct. 93/2 To such a man even the names of the various *proof states must be a source of bewilderment.

1683 Pettus Fleta Min. i. (1686) 15 You must..have a Frame, in which you may heat the *Proof-Tests and Crucibles. 1951 Sun (Baltimore) 30 Jan. 5/3 Their major purpose..is to proof-test some slide-rule work being done by nuclear physicists and weapons experts.

1847 Webster, *Proof-text. 1874 H. R. Reynolds John Bapt. iv. vi. 262 Modern criticism has submitted the ‘proof-texts’..to stringent examination. 1904 H. A. A. Kennedy St. Paul's Concept. Last Things vi. 310 Solitary proof-texts have wrought more havoc in theology than all the heresies.

b. Special Combs.: proof-arm v. nonce-wd. [? back-formation from proof armour], trans. to arm in or as in armour of proof; † proof-favour, favour or goodwill strong as armour of proof; proof-gallon, a gallon of proof-spirit; proof-glass, a deep cylindrical glass for holding liquids while under test; proof-leaf, = proof-sheet; also, the sheet of paper by means of which coloured designs are transferred from the engraved plate to the biscuit in pottery-making; proof-letter, a letter cast to test the accuracy of the type-mould; proof load Mech., a load which a structure must be able to bear without exceeding specified limits of deformation; loosely, proof stress; proof-man (Sc.), one whose profession is to estimate the content of corn-stacks; proof-mark, † (a) in testing powder, a mark made on the ribbon by which the recoil is measured, showing the strength of powder of the standard quality (obs.); (b) a mark impressed on a fire-arm to show that it has passed the test; proof-plane, a small flat or disk-shaped conductor fixed on an insulating handle, used in measuring the electrification of any body; proof-plug: see quot.; proof-press, a press or machine used for taking proofs of type; proof-read v. trans., to read (printer's proofs) and mark errors for correction; hence proof-read ppl. a.; proof-reader, one whose business is to read through printer's proofs and mark errors for correction; = reader 2 b; so proof-reading vbl. n. and ppl. a.; proof-slip Typog. = proof-sheet; proof-sphere: see quot.; proof-staff, a metal straight-edge for testing or adjusting the ordinary wooden instrument (Knight Dict. Mech. 1875); proof-stick, a rod by means of which a sample of the contents of a vacuum sugar-boiler may be taken without admitting air; proof strain Mech., the strain produced by the proof stress; loosely, proof stress; proof strength, = sense 11; proof stress Mech., the stress required to produce a specified permanent deformation of a material or structure; proof theory (see quot. 1942); hence proof-theoretic a., of or pertaining to proof theory; proof-theoretically adv., in a proof-theoretic manner; proof timber: see quot.; proof vinegar, vinegar of standard strength.

a 1625 Fletcher Hum. Lieut. ii. iii, She..is a delicate and knows it; And out of that *proof-arms herself.

1621 ― Pilgrim ii. ii, All your glories in the full Meridian, The King's *proof-favour buckled on your body.

1907 Westm. Gaz. 18 Feb. 11/1 The total consumption of spirits in the United Kingdom during the past year amounted to 39,302,480 *proof gallons.

1765 H. Jackson Ess. Brit. Isinglass 73 We likewise advise them to a serious Perusal of our new-invented *Proof-glasses. 1848 Knickerbocker XVIII. 380 With what profound deliberation he drew his proof-glass from the bung-hole of a brandy-pipe.

1839 Ure Dict. Arts 1017 s.v. Pottery, The copper-plate is now passed through the engraver's cylinder press, the *proof leaf is lifted off and..[applied] to the surface of the biscuit.

1683 Moxon Mech. Exerc., Printing xvii. ¶2 Then he Casts a *Proof-Letter or two.

1858 W. J. M. Rankine Man. Appl. Mech. ii. iii. 287 The toughness of the bar, or the extension corresponding to the *proof load. 1930 Engineering 21 Feb. 241/2 This working load is equivalent to one-half the proof load, which again is almost one-half the ultimate strength of the chain. 1973 A. Parrish Mech. Engineer's Ref. Bk. xii. 5 A ‘proof load’ is a specified load which a lifting appliance shall withstand without showing permanent set exceeding a specified amount or showing other defect.

1813 W. Leslie Agric. Surv. Nairn & Moray 180 The quantity of grain is ascertained by the *proof-man, a professional character in the country.

1781 Phil. Trans. LXXI. i. 300 If the ribbon is drawn out as far or farther than the *proof mark, the powder is as good or better than the standard. 1858 Greener Gunnery 251 On arms of the first and third classes the definitive proof mark and view mark shall be impressed at the breech end of the barrel.

1855 Miller Elem. Chem. I. 284 Bring the *proof plane..into contact with any part of the outer surface of the metallic can, and an abundant charge will be obtained. 1873 Maxwell Electr. & Magn. (1881) I. 315 This disk, when employed in this way, is called Coulomb's Proof Plane.

1875 Knight Dict. Mech., *Proof-plug, a plug screwed temporarily into the breech of a gun-barrel to be proved.

1899 Mackail Life Morris II. 253 A *proof-press and a printing-press were set up there.

1933 G. Stein Autobiogr. Alice B. Toklas v. 139 A good many years later Jane Heap said that she had never appreciated the quality of Gertrude Stein's work until she *proof-read it. 1937 W. Follett in Atlantic Monthly Jan. 49/1 The New York Times..is..the most nearly proofread of the larger metropolitan dailies. 1951 L. Hellman Autumn Garden i. 14 His publishers..want the manuscript... I'll have to proofread it with him tonight. 1964 F. Bowers Bibliogr. & Textual Crit. iv. iv. 126 The automatic assumption is surely wrong that every forme of cheap commercial printing was necessarily proof-read. 1966 ‘H. B. Taylor’ Triumvirate xx. 115 The galleys of proofread type. 1976 Times Lit. Suppl. 2 July 813/4 It is smoothly written, although no better illustrated than Professor Donohue's survey..and far less well proofread.

1855 I. C. Pray Mem. J. G. Bennet 41 From this post he was transferred to that of a *proof-reader in the printing-house of Wells & Lilly. 1883 Harper's Mag. Feb. 469/2 A new proof-reader seemed to be needed. 1907 Daily Chron. 4 Apr. 6/6 Thomas Bailey Aldrich..entered literature as a ‘proof-reader’. That is the American equivalent of our ‘corrector to the Press’ or ‘printer's reader’.

1852 Geo. Eliot Let. 15 June (1954) II. 36 Between theatre-going and *proof-reading, my spiritual eyes are burning as dim and bleared as gas-lights. 1937 W. Follett in Atlantic Monthly Jan. 49/2 Such a thing it is to be equipped, or cursed, with the proofreading eye. 1977 Early Music Oct. 470/2 Manuscripts..A and B show more evidence of proofreading.

1883 ‘Mark Twain’ Lett. to Publishers (1967) 162 You must glance through all the *proof-slips..for..I have added footnotes and other stuff which you have not seen. 1967 Cox & Grose Organiz. & Handling Bibliogr. Rec. by Computer v. 118 The material along with the worksheet and the LC proof slip or the Title II card..is then routed to the Catalogue Department... All books for which there are proof slips or Title II depository cards are processed.

1902 Sloane Stand. Electr. Dict., *Proof-sphere, a small sphere, coated with gold-leaf or other conductor, and mounted on an insulated handle. It is used instead of a proof-plane, for testing bodies whose curvature is small.

1839 Ure Dict. Arts 1206 The *proof-stick, an ingenious brass rod for taking out a sample of syrup without admitting air.

1858 W. J. M. Rankine Man. Appl. Mech. ii. iii. 273 Resilience or Spring is the quantity of mechanical work required to produce the *proof strain. 1862 [see proof stress below]. 1888 J. G. Horner Lockwood's Dict. Mech. Engin. Terms 268 A proof strain would in all cases be short of that which would have a crippling effect.

1811 Niles' Reg. I. 311/1 The same process repeated until the ley has acquired *proof strength. 1905 Daily Chron. 29 July 4/5 Spirits, however, are always sold below, and generally considerably below, ‘proof’ strength.

1862 W. J. M. Rankine Man. Civil Engin. ii. i. 226 Resilience, or Spring..is the quantity of mechanical work required to produce the *proof-stress on a given piece of material, and is equal to the product of the proof strain, or alteration of figure, into the mean load which acts during the production of that strain; that is to say, in general, very nearly one-half of the proof load. 1935 Discovery Apr. 112/2 By the use of aluminium alloy with a ·1 per cent. proof stress of 17 tons per square inch instead of the 15 tons per square inch alloy now used, the hull weight of such a [flying] boat could be kept as low as 12½ per cent. of the total weight. 1962 BSI News June 12/1 Qualities of steels determined by the ratio of the 0·2 per cent proof stress at elevated temperatures to the minimum tensile strength at room temperature.

1952 S. C. Kleene Introd. Metamath. xiv. 213 The *proof-theoretic equivalents provability and irrefutability refer only to the enumerable infinity of formal proofs... The set-theoretic notions are actually equivalent to the proof-theoretic ones. 1967 ― Math. Logic 118 The proof-theoretic approach to the predicate calculus.

1952 ― Introd. Metamath. xiv. 425 The axioms are ‘consistent’ *proof-theoretically. 1967 ― Math. Logic 118 We now develop some of the further results proof-theoretically.

1942 D. D. Runes Dict. Philos. 255/2 *Proof theory. The formalization of mathematical proof by means of a logistic system..makes possible an objective theory of proofs and provability, in which proofs are treated as concrete manipulations of formulas (and no use is made of meanings of formulas). 1969 Listener 10 July 44/2 The analogy he was using was one with proof theory in logic, where from initial axioms and rules of inference you can produce true theorems—rather like doing geometry exercises in school. 1979 Sci. Amer. Oct. 138/3 For this purpose Hilbert introduced a new theory called proof theory, or metamathematics, in which meaningful statements about the meaningless signs and configurations of the axiomatic system could be formulated.

c 1850 Rudim. Navig. (Weale) 139 *Proof timber, an imaginary timber, expressed by vertical lines in the sheer draught, similar to the joints of the square timbers, and used nearly forward and aft, to prove the fairness of the body.

1839 Ure Dict. Arts 13 An excise duty of 2d. is levied on every gallon of..*proof vinegar.

▪ II. proof, a. (adv.)
    (pruːf)
    Forms: see prec.
    [The n. used as adj., app. by ellipsis of of: cf. prec. 10.]
    1. Of tried strength or quality; esp. of armour: of tested power of resistance; hence transf. and fig. strong, impenetrable, impervious, invulnerable. Const. against, to. † proof o' shot, proof against shot; in quot. fig.

1592 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. ii. ii. 73 Looke thou but sweete, And I am proofe against their enmity. 1607 ― Cor. i. iv. 25 Now..fight With hearts more proofe then Shields. 1631 Heywood 2nd Pt. Fair Maid of West iii. Chorus, With two proofe targets arm'd. 1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. Boccalini's Advts. fr. Parnass. i. xxxix. (1674) 53 Venice..is fortified, and armed with the proof-Armor of Marishes and Washes. 1667 Milton P.L. ix. 298 Not incorruptible of Faith, not prooff Against temptation. 1697 Dryden æneid iii. 317 The fated Skin is proof to Wounds. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 41 ¶5 Proof against the Charms of her Wit and Conversation. 1728 Ramsay There's my Thumb i, A heart..proof a-shot to birth or money. 1785 Burns To J. Smith i, Ne'er a bosom yet was prief Against your arts. 1810 Scott Lady of L. ii. xix, Proof to the tempest's shock. 1835 Lytton Rienzi x. iv, Dearer..than he had ever yet found the proofest steel of Milan. 1871 Routledge's Ev. Boy's Ann. June 344 Their thick scales..are proof against every missile.

b. Often used as the second element in compounds, as bomb-proof, bullet-proof, fire-proof, plot-proof, rain-proof, shot-proof, sound-proof, thief-proof, waterproof, weather-proof, etc., and many occasional or nonce formations.

1602 Manningham Diary (Camden) 61 Such a one is clarret proofe, i.e. a good wine-bibber. 1662 Hickeringill Apol. Distressed Innoc. Wks. 1716 I. 297 The old Powder-Plotters..are shot-free and Justice-proof by a pious charm. 1709 Brit. Apollo II. No. 19. 3/1 You're Impudence-Proof. 1824 Mackintosh Sp. Ho. Com. 15 June, Wks. 1846 III. 468 Is he bullet-proof or bayonet-proof? or does he wear a coat of mail? 1901 Westm. Gaz. 7 Jan. 5/1 If the heavy mackintosh overalls were expletive-proof as well as snow⁓proof it would not be a bad thing. 1903 Daily Chron. 3 Mar. 5/1 Fire-proof, and burglar-proof, and every other proof, except visitor proof!

2. Of distilled alcoholic liquors: Of standard strength; cf. proof n. 11. See proof-spirit.

1709 Brit. Apollo II. No. 7. 2/2 Rectify'd Spirits are Proof.

† B. adv. To the fullest extent; to the utmost; utterly, entirely: cf. to the proof (proof n. 10).

1613 Fletcher, etc. Captain i. ii, Such distemper'd spirits Once out of motion, though they be proof-valiant. 1621 ― Isl. Princess iii. i, Looks melancholy Wondrous proof melancholy. [1875 Ruskin Fors Clav. lv. 197 She had busy blood..but, with that, well-conducted and proof-faithful [transl. F. fidèle à toute épreuve].]

▪ III. proof, v.
    (pruːf)
    [f. proof n. or a.]
    1. trans. To test, prove. a. Sc. To estimate the content of (a corn-stack); cf. proof-man s.v. proof n. 18 b.

1834 H. Miller Scenes & Leg. x. (1869) 146 He was engaged in what is called proofing the stacks of a cornyard.

b. To take a proof impression of (an engraved plate, or the like): = prove v. 1 e.

1884 World 3 Dec. 15/2 The outcome is a masterpiece of etching, which is being ‘proofed’.

c. To aerate (dough) by the action of yeast before baking. Cf. prove v. 1 g.

1875 Encycl. Brit. III. 253/2 After this laborious process the finished dough is covered over for some time..during which fermentation again begins, and the mass is ‘proofed’. 1972 Countryman Autumn 45 There were three ovens, one above the other, in our bakehouse. The bottom one was small and used only for proofing buns and certain cakes.

d. = proof-read vb. s.v. proof n. 18 b.

1960 Times 16 Feb. 6/1 Bristol set its own papers and printed and proofed them in the city. 1974 R. C. Dennis Conversations with Corpse viii. 70 Arenas was reading a pink report, making occasional corrections of grammar or punctuation... He handed me the pages he had already proofed. 1979 A. Easson Elizabeth Gaskell i. 44 William also proofed much of her work.

2. To render proof against or impervious to something; esp. to render (a fabric or article of dress) impervious to water, to waterproof.

1885 C. G. W. Lock Workshop Receipts Ser. iv. 3/1 Fabrics which are to be ‘proofed’ by spreading.

Hence proofed ppl. a.; ˈproofing vbl. n.

1902 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 15 Feb. 378/1 Proofing or stiffening is of two kinds: (a) Water Proofing is done with shellac and resin dissolved in water with borax. Ibid. 378/2 The process of spirit⁓proofing and the subsequent drying of the ‘proofed’ hats. 1904 Ibid. 17 Sept. 635/2 The..draining of a single pool,..the ‘proofing’ of a single room. 1909 Westm. Gaz. 3 Sept. 5/2 Dr. Bartsch, of the Royal Proofing Office at Great Lichterfelde, communicates the result of experiments he has made in disinfecting large quantities of books with hot air. 1940 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 678/1 Proofed tape, cotton cloth coated with a rubber compound, wrapped round rubber-insulated cables. 1953 News Chron. 2 June 2/2 Squatting..in the light-weight (six pound) proofed cotton nylon tents. 1957 Times 20 Dec. 19/2 The moth-proofing of wool, the rot-proofing of jute, the mould-proofing of paint. 1958 Times Lit. Suppl. 18 Apr. 214/5 We are told nothing about the special proofings of the Second World War volumes. 1976 H. Wilson Governance of Britain viii. 157 The Conservative leader is fairly well proofed against trouble with the [party] machinery. 1977 Broadcast 13 June 7/2 There were..only ten days between the signature of the Report and its proofing and publication.