Etimology
From Middle English proven, from Old English prōfian (“to esteem, regard as, evince, try, prove”) and Old French prover (“to prove”), both from Latin probō (“test, try, examine, approve, show to be good or fit, prove”, verb), from probus (“good, worthy, excellent”), from Proto-Indo-European *pro-bʰuH-s (“being in front, prominent”), from *pro-, *per- (“toward”) + *bʰuH- (“to be”). Displaced native Middle English sothen (“to prove”), from Old English sōþian (“to prove”). Doublet of probe. More at for, be, soothe.
verb
prove (third-person singular simple present proves, present participle proving, simple past proved, past participle proved or proven)
(transitive) To demonstrate that something is true or viable; to give proof for.
(intransitive) To turn out; to manifest.
(copulative) To turn out to be.
(transitive) To put to the test, to make trial of.
(transitive) To ascertain or establish the genuineness or validity of; to verify.
(archaic, transitive) To experience.
(printing, dated, transitive) To take a trial impression of; to take a proof of.
Alternative form of proof (“allow (dough) to rise; test the activeness of (yeast); pressure-test (a firearm)”)
(homeopathy) To determine by experiment which effects a substance causes when ingested.
Examples
[VV]e are able with playne demonſtration to proue, and vvith reaſon to perſvvade that in tymes paſt our fayth vvas alike, that then vve preached thinges correſpondent vnto the forme of faith already published of vs, ſo that none in this behalfe can repyne or gaynesay vs.
Mr. H …, whom no distinctions of that sort seemed to disturb, scarce gave himself or me breathing time from the last encounter, but, as if he had task'd himself to prove that the appearances of his vigour were not signs hung out in vain, in a few minutes he was in a condition for renewing the onset
Valentine’s Day means different things for different people. For Homer, it means forking over a hundred dollars for a dusty box of chocolates at the Kwik-E-Mart after characteristically forgetting the holiday yet again. For Ned, it’s another opportunity to prove his love for his wife. Most germane to the episode, for Lisa, Valentine’s Day means being the only person in her entire class to give Ralph a Valentine after noticing him looking crestfallen and alone at his desk.
WikiLeaks did not cause these uprisings but it certainly informed them. The dispatches revealed details of corruption and kleptocracy that many Tunisians suspected, but could not prove, and would cite as they took to the streets. They also exposed the blatant discrepancy between the west's professed values and actual foreign policies.
I will prove that my method is more effective than yours.
It proved to be a cold day.
But ſhall I prooue a traitor to my King?
This battle did not take place in the streets. It took place entirely in words, and it was to prove the turning point in the war.
He met Luis Suarez's cross at the far post, only for Chelsea keeper Petr Cech to show brilliant reflexes to deflect his header on to the bar. Carroll turned away to lead Liverpool's insistent protests that the ball had crossed the line but referee Phil Dowd and assistant referee Andrew Garratt waved play on, with even a succession of replays proving inconclusive.
Have an exit strategy should your calculations prove incorrect.
They took the experimental car to the proving-grounds.
The exception proves the rule.
The hypothesis has not been proven to our satisfaction.
Then may I dare to boast how I do love thee,Till then not show my head where thou may'st prove me.
Wounded and overthrown, the Britons continued their resistance, clung round the legs of the Norman steeds, and cumbered their advance; while their brethren, thrusting with pikes, proved every joint and crevice of the plate and mail, or grappling with the men-at-arms, strove to pull them from their horses by main force, or beat them down with their bills and Welch hooks.
to prove a will
Where she, captived long, great woes did prove.
to prove a page
Related words
related terms
approve
probe
probity
proof
noun
prove (plural proves)
(baking) The process of dough proofing.
Examples
You may also need to think about what the prove is doing to the loaf of bread — it is warming the dough and making it moist, allowing it to rise […]
Etimology
Simple past form of proove, conjugated as a Germanic strong verb, on the pattern of choose → chose.
verb
prove
simple past of proove