| 释义 |
proof
I. \ˈprüf\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English proof, prove, alteration (influenced by proven to prove) of preef, preve, preove, from Old French preuve, from Late Latin proba, from Latin probare to test, prove — more at prove
1.
a. : the cogency of evidence or of demonstrated relationship that compels acceptance by the mind of a truth or a fact : demonstration
< one who believes in you doesn't need any proof at all — W.J.Reilly >
b. : the derivation of one or more propositions or statements from one or more others in accordance with either generally recognized or specifically stipulated principles of validity
2. obsolete : something proved by common experience : knowledge acquired by experience
< 'tis a common proof that lowliness is young ambition's ladder — Shakespeare >
3. : something that induces certainty or establishes validity: as
a. : a chain of statements or formulas leading logically from axioms and theorems previously established to the theorem which is the conclusion of the demonstration
b. : a mathematical process that establishes the validity of a theorem or statement
c. : an act, effort, or operation designed to establish or discover a fact or truth
< prepared to put his theories to the proof >
< laboratory proof of the presence of gold in the sample >
4. obsolete : outcome, result
5.
a. obsolete : witness
b. : a leaf having its original rough outer edge or a pair of adjacent leaves still joined together at one or more edges regarded as proof that the book containing it is untrimmed — called also witness
6. dialect chiefly England : good condition or quality : goodness
7.
a. archaic : the quality or state of having been tested or tried; especially : unyielding hardness or firmness
< armor of proof >
b. obsolete : armor
8. : evidence operating to determine the finding or judgment of a tribunal: as
a. English law : a written statement of the testimony which a proposed witness will give in court
b. civil law : a document or number of documents so established as to be legally receivable as evidence
c. Scots law : the evidence upon a point at issue taken before a judge or judge's representative; also : the taking of the evidence
d. Scots law : a trial by a court without a jury
9. obsolete : attempt
10.
a. : an impression (as from type) taken for correction or examination; also : a comparable print or impression made by some other composing or printing process
b. : a proof impression of an engraving, etching, or lithograph — see open-letter proof, proof before letter, remarque proof
c. : proof coin
d. : a test photographic print made from a negative
11.
a. : a test applied to articles or substances to determine whether they are of standard or satisfactory quality
< the proof of the pudding is in the eating >
b. : a trial of ordnance, projectiles, armor, or powder to determine suitability for acceptance
c. : the process of bringing dough to a standard lightness
12.
a. : the minimum alcoholic strength of proof spirit
b. : strength with reference to the standard for proof spirit
Synonyms: see reason
II. adjective
1. : firm or successful in resisting or repelling
< proof against your own moods — William Sansom >
: impenetrable, impregnable — often used in combination
< burglar-proof windows >
< bombproof >
— sometimes distinguished from resistant
2. : used in proving or testing : serving as a proof: as
a. : measuring or producing the greatest strain in a piece or member consistent with safety
< proof stress >
< proof strength >
b. of gold or silver : perfectly pure and kept (as in a mint or assay office) as a standard of comparison or for experiment
3. : of standard strength or quality or alcoholic content
< proof whiskey >
III. adverb
Etymology: proof (II)
archaic : confirmedly, thoroughly, utterly
IV. transitive verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: proof (I)
1.
a. : to make or take a proof or test of
< proof an etching >
< proof a negative >
< proof a galley of set type >
b. : proofread
< books which I edited, proofed, and supervised in production — E.G.Berenson >
2. : to bring (dough) to the proper lightness
3. [proof (II) ] : to give a resistant quality to : make impervious to water, gas, weather, or chemical action
V. transitive verb
: to activate (yeast) by mixing with water and sometimes sugar or milk |