pru:f n.,
adj., & v. --n. 1 facts,
evidence,
argument, etc. establishing or
helping to
establish a
fact (proof of
their honesty; no proof
that he
was there). 2
Law the spoken or
written evidence in a
trial. 3 a
demonstration or
act of proving (not
capable of proof; in proof of my assertion). 4 a test or trial (put
them to the proof; the proof of the
pudding is in the eating). 5 the
standard of
strength of distilled
alcoholic liquors. 6
Printing a trial
impression taken
from type or
film, used
for making corrections
before final printing. 7 the stages in the
resolution of a
mathematical or
philosophical problem. 8
each of a
limited number of impressions from an engraved
plate before the
ordinary issue is printed
and usu. (in full proof before letters) before an
inscription or
signature is added. 9 a photographic
print made for
selection etc. 10
Sc. Law a trial before a
judge instead of by a
jury. --adj. 1
impervious to penetration,
ill effects, etc. (proof
against the severest
weather;
his soul is proof against corruption). 2 (in comb.)
able to
withstand damage or
destruction by a specified
agent (soundproof; childproof). 3
being of proof alcoholic strength. 4 (of armour) of
tried strength. --v.tr. 1
make (something) proof,
esp. make (fabric)
waterproof. 2 make a proof of (a printed
work,
engraving, etc.). øabove proof (of alcohol) having a stronger
than standard strength. proof-plane a
small flat
conductor on an insulating
handle for measuring the electrification of a
body. proof
positive absolutely certain proof. proof-sheet a sheet of printer's proof. proof
spirit a
mixture of
alcohol and
water having proof strength. øøproofless adj. [ME
prof prove, earlier pref etc. f. OF proeve, prueve f. LL proba f. L probare (see PROVE; adj. and
sometimes v. formed app. by
ellipsis f. phr. of proof = proved to be impenetrable]