# prove

Pronunciation: US say "PROOV" /pɹuːv/; UK say "PROHV" /pɹəʊv/

## Verb

1. To demonstrate that something is true or valid by providing evidence or argument.
   - Simple: To show that something is really true by giving facts or good reasons.
   - _The lawyer set out to prove that her client was innocent._
   - _DNA evidence proved his involvement beyond any reasonable doubt._
2. To turn out to be a particular thing or to have a particular quality, once it is tried, known, or seen over time.
   - Simple: To be shown to be something, after it is tried or after some time.
   - _The medicine proved effective in most of the patients._
   - _Their early fears would prove unfounded._
3. To demonstrate one's ability, skill, or courage to other people, often with a reflexive object such as oneself or yourself.
   - Simple: To show other people that you are good enough, skilled enough, or brave enough.
   - _Rookies often feel they must prove themselves before the veterans accept them._
   - _After a losing season, the young coach had something to prove._
4. To establish the genuineness or validity of something; to verify it.
   - Simple: To show or check that something is real or valid.
   - _The executor had to prove the will in court before the estate could be divided._
   - _You must prove your identity before accessing the account._
5. Alternative form of proof as a verb: to leave shaped dough to rise before baking, or (of dough) to rise. — Alternative form of proof (“allow (dough) to rise; test the activeness of (yeast); pressure-test (a firearm)”).
   - Simple: Alternative form of proof. Used when bread dough rises, or is left to rise, before baking.
   - _Leave the dough to prove until it doubles in size._
   - _Cover the shaped loaves with a towel and let them prove in a warm kitchen for an hour._
6. To put something to the test; to make trial of its qualities or strength.
   - Simple: To test something to find out whether it works or is strong enough.
   - _The army proved its artillery under realistic battlefield conditions._
   - _Gunmakers prove every barrel by firing a charge far stronger than any it will meet in normal use._

## Noun

7. The stage in breadmaking during which shaped dough is left to rise before baking.
   - Simple: The time when bread dough is left to rise before it goes in the oven.
   - _A slow, cool prove develops more flavor in the crumb._
   - _After the final prove, the baker scored and loaded the loaves._

## Verb

8. To take a trial impression of printed material so it can be checked before the full run. *(dated)*
   - Simple: To make a test print of something to check it before the final copies.
9. To experience or undergo something for oneself. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: To go through something yourself and feel what it is like.

## Other meanings

- (verb) In homeopathy, to find out by trial what effects a substance produces when it is swallowed.

## Origin

From Middle English "proven", from Old English "prōfian" (to try, prove) and Old French "prover", both from Latin "probō" (to test, examine, prove), from "probus" (good, worthy, excellent). It is a doublet of "probe".

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/prove (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).