proof

An effort, process, or operation designed to establish or discover a fact or truth; an act of testing; a test; a trial.

I need proof of your unconditional love. Lend me some dough.

1591, Edmund Spenser, Prosopopoia: or, Mother Hubbard's Tale, later also published in William Michael Rossetti, Humorous Poems, But the false Fox most kindly played his part, For whatsoever mother-wit or art Could work he put in proof. No practice sly, No counterpoint of cunning policy, No reach, no breach, that might him profit bring. But he the same did to his purpose wring.

The degree of evidence which convinces the mind of any truth or fact, and produces belief; a test by facts or arguments which induce, or tend to induce, certainty of the judgment; conclusive evidence; demonstration.

I'll have some proof.

It was a grand sentence of Emanuel Swedenborg, which would alone indicate the greatness of that man's perception, — "It is no proof of a man's understanding to be able to confirm whatever he pleases; but to be able to discern that what is true is true, and that what is false is false, this is the mark and character of intelligence."

The quality or state of having been proved or tried; firmness or hardness which resists impression, or does not yield to force; impenetrability of physical bodies.

Experience of something.

But the chaste damzell, that had never priefe / Of such malengine and fine forgerye, / Did easely beleeve her strong extremitye.

Firmness of mind; stability not to be shaken.

Used in proving or testing.

a proof load; a proof charge

Firm or successful in resisting.

proof against harm

waterproof; bombproof

Being of a certain standard as to alcohol content.

60% proof liquor

To proofread.

To make resistant, especially to water.

To test-fire with a load considerably more powerful than the firearm in question's rated maximum chamber pressure, in order to establish the firearm's ability to withstand pressures well in excess of those expected in service without bursti

To allow (yeast-containing dough) to rise, especially after it has been shaped

dough proofing

To test the activeness of (yeast).

yeast proofing