1
a
: the cogency of evidence that compels acceptance by the mind of a truth or a fact
b
: the process or an instance of establishing the validity of a statement especially by derivation from other statements in accordance with principles of reasoning
2
obsolete
: experience
3
: something that induces certainty or establishes validity
4
archaic
: the quality or state of having been tested or tried
especially
: unyielding hardness
5
: evidence operating to determine the finding or judgment of a tribunal
6
a
plural proofs or proof
: a copy (as of typeset text) made for examination or correction
b
: a test impression of an engraving, etching, or lithograph
c
: a coin that is struck from a highly polished die on a polished planchet, is not intended for circulation, and sometimes differs in metallic content from coins of identical design struck for circulation
d
: a test photographic print made from a negative
7
: a test applied to articles or substances to determine whether they are of standard or satisfactory quality
8
a
: the minimum alcoholic strength of proof spirit
b
: strength with reference to the standard for proof spirit
specifically
: alcoholic strength indicated by a number that is twice the percent by volume of alcohol present
whiskey of 90 proof is 45 percent alcohol
1
: able to resist or repel
boots that were … proof against cold and wet—Robertson Davies
—often used in combinationwindproof
2
: used in proving or testing or as a standard of comparison
3
: of standard strength or quality or alcoholic content
proofed; proofing; proofs
1
a
: to make or take a proof or test of
b
2
: to give a resistant quality to
3
: to activate (yeast) by mixing with water and sometimes sugar or milk
proofer
noun
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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