Prove

Prove Prove, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Proved}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Proving}.] [OE. prover, F. prouver, fr. L. probare to try, approve, prove, fr. probus good, proper. Cf. {Probable}, {Proof}, {Probe}.] 1. To try or to ascertain by an experiment, or by a test or standard; to test; as, to prove the strength of gunpowder or of ordnance; to prove the contents of a vessel by a standard measure. [1913 Webster]

Thou hast proved mine heart. --Ps. xvii. 3. [1913 Webster]

2. To evince, establish, or ascertain, as truth, reality, or fact, by argument, testimony, or other evidence. [1913 Webster]

They have inferred much from slender premises, and conjectured when they could not prove. --J. H. Newman. [1913 Webster]

3. To ascertain or establish the genuineness or validity of; to verify; as, to prove a will. [1913 Webster]

4. To gain experience of the good or evil of; to know by trial; to experience; to suffer. [1913 Webster]

Where she, captived long, great woes did prove. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

5. (Arith.) To test, evince, ascertain, or verify, as the correctness of any operation or result; thus, in subtraction, if the difference between two numbers, added to the lesser number, makes a sum equal to the greater, the correctness of the subtraction is proved. [1913 Webster]

6. (Printing) To take a trial impression of; to take a proof of; as, to prove a page. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To try; verify; justify; confirm; establish; evince; manifest; show; demonstrate. [1913 Webster]