Proof

prōōf, n. that which proves or establishes the truth of anything: test: ( obs. ) experience: experiment: any proce to discover or establish a truth: that which convinces: demonstration: evidence which convinces the mind: state of having been proved: ( pl. ) in equity practice, the instruments of evidence in their documentary form: ( Scots law ) the taking of evidence by a judge upon an i ue framed in pleading: a test, hence 'Armour of proof,' armour proved to be trustworthy: ( arith. ) an operation checking the accuracy of a calculation: firmne of mind: a certain strength of alcoholic spirits: ( print. ) an impre ion taken for correction, also 'proof-sheet:' an early impre ion of an engraving—'proof before letter'=one taken before the title is engraved on the plate: ( phot. ) the first print from a negative.— adj. firm in resisting: noting alcoholic liquors having the specific gravity 0.920:— pl. Proofs .— ns. Proof′-arm′our , armour proved to be able to resist ordinary weapons; Proof′-charge , an extraordinary amount of powder and shot put into a gun to test its strength; Proof′-house , a house fitted up for proving the barrels of firearms; Proof′-leaf (same as Proof-sheet ).— adj. Proof′le , wanting proof or evidence.— ns. Proof′-mark , a mark stamped on a gun to show that it has stood the test; Proof′-read′er , a person who reads printed proofs to discover and correct errors; Proof′-sheet , an impre ion taken on a slip of paper for correction before printing finally; Proof′-spir′it , a mixture containing fixed proportions of alcohol and water—nearly half its weight and fully half its volume of alcohol; Proof′-text , a pa age of Scripture held to prove a certain doctrine.— Artist's proof , a first impre ion from an engraved plate or block; Burden of proof (see Burden ); India proof (see Indian ). [O. Fr. prove (Fr. preuve )—L. probāre , to prove.]