approof arch.
(əˈpruːf)
Also 5 appreffe, apref.
[a. OFr. aprove, -euve, proof, trial, f. aprove-r:—L. approbā-re: see approbate and approve. Cf. the simple proof, a. OFr. prove, preuve.]
1. The act of proving; trial, experience, proof.
| 1436 Pol. Poems (1859) II. 167 Thys good kynge, be wytt of such appreffe, Kepte hys marchauntes..fro myscheffe. 1601 Shakes. All's Well ii. v. 3 A Souldier..and of verie valiant approofe. 1881 Swinburne Mary Stuart iv. i, Known By proof more potent than approof of law In all points guilty. |
2. Sanction, approval, approbation.
| 1439 E.E. Wills (1882) 119 In witnessyng and very a-pref whereof.. I have put the seale of my Armes. 1603 Shakes. Meas. for M. ii. iv. 174 One and the selfesame tongue, Either of condemnation, or approofe. 1652 Gaule Magastrom. 114 Whether any sound orthodox Christian ever did write in the approof of judiciary and predicting astrologie? a 1850 Rossetti Dante & Circle i. (1874) 111 She bowed her mild approof And salutation to all men of worth. |