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.
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Thou hast proved mine heart. Ps. xvii. 3.
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2. To evince, establish, or ascertain, as truth, reality, or fact, by argument, testimony, or other evidence.
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They have inferred much from slender premises, and conjectured when they could not prove. J. H. Newman.
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3. To ascertain or establish the genuineness or validity of; to verify; as, to prove a will.
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4. To gain experience of the good or evil of; to know by trial; to experience; to suffer.
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Where she, captived long, great woes did prove. Spenser.
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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.
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6. (Printing) To take a trial impression of; to take a proof of; as, to prove a page.
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Syn. -- To try; verify; justify; confirm; establish; evince; manifest; show; demonstrate.
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