proof: [13] Proof and prove are of course closely related. Both go back ultimately to Latin probāre ‘test, prove’. From this in post-classical times was derived the noun proba ‘proof’, which passed into English via Old French preve as pref. In the 14th and 15th centuries this gradually changed in the mainstream language to proof, due to the influence of the verb prove. => probe, prove
proof (n.)
early 13c., preove "evidence to establish the fact of (something)," from Anglo-French preove, Old French prueve "proof, test, experience" (13c., Modern French preuve), from Late Latin proba "a proof," a back-formation from Latin probare "to prove" (see prove). "The devocalization of v to f ensued upon the loss of final e; cf. the relation of v and f in believe, belief, relieve, relief, behove, behoof, etc. [OED].
Meaning "act of proving" is early 14c. Meaning "act of testing or making trial of anything" is from late 14c., from influence of prove. Meaning "standard of strength of distilled liquor" is from 1705. In photography from 1855. Typographical sense of "trial impression to test type" is from c. 1600. Numismatic sense of "coin struck to test a die" is from 1762; now mostly in reference to coins struck from highly polished dies, mainly for collectors.
Adjectival sense (proof against) is recorded from 1590s, from the noun in expressions such as proof of (mid-15c.), hence extended senses involving "tested power" in compounds such as fireproof (1630s), waterproof (1725), foolproof (1902), etc. Shakespeare has shame-proof. Expression the proof is in the pudding (1915) is a curious perversion of earlier proof of the pudding is in the eating (1708), with proof in the sense "quality of proving good or turning out well" (17c.); perhaps an advertiser's condensed form of the original.
proof (v.)
1834, "to test," from proof (n.). From 1950 as short for proofread (v.). Related: Proofed; proofing.
实用例句
1. He has had to eat his words about the company being recession-proof.
他不得不收回他说过的公司能免受经济衰退影响的话。
来自柯林斯例句
2. His papers were proof against all but the most expert of scrutinies.
他的论文几乎可以经受住最专业的审查。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Training is worthless unless there is proof that it works.
除非能证明训练有效，否则就是白搭。
来自柯林斯例句
4. His life was saved by a quarter-inch-thick bullet-proof steel screen.
多亏一块1/4英寸厚的防弹钢板，他才捡了条命。
来自柯林斯例句
5. "We need proof, sir." Another pause. Then, "Very well."
