proof 
There died of hi- hand Sarpedon, I'listonax, Strophllus, 
and Ilippolytus, men of great proof In wars. 
Sir P. Sidney, Arcadia, iii. 
she hath Dlan's wit ; 
And, in strong proof at chastity well arm'd, 
From love's weak childish bow she lives unharm'd. 
fthak., E. and J., 1. 1. 216. 
They harnessed him from head to foot with what was 
of /;'".:/ , lest perhaps lie should meet with assaults in the 
way. Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress, p. 124. 
5. Iii late: (a) The convincing effect of evi- 
dence; the manifestation of the truth of a 
proposition by presenting the reasons for as- 
senting to it; sucli an array of evidence as 
should determine the judgment of the tribunal 
in regard to a matter of fact. In criminal cases, 
to be effectual as proof, the evidence must satisfy beyond 
a reasonable doubt. In civil cases It is enough that the 
evidence preponderates. 
Evidence Is the medium of proof; proof Is the effect of 
evidence. Judge Danforth, 108 N. Y., 78. 
(b) i>l. In equity practice, the instruments of 
evidence in their documentary form, as deposi- 
tions, deeds, etc., received in a cause, (c) The 
presentation of sufficient evidence : as, the bur- 
den of proof lies with the plaintiff. Proof Is either 
written or parole. The former consist* of records, deeds, 
or other writings ; the latter of the testimony of witnesses 
personally appearing in court or before a proper officer, 
and, as a rule, sworn to the truth of what they depose. 
In this sense the word is used to designate either the 
task of going forward with the giving of evidence at the 
trial or the task of satisfying the minds of the jury. 
Owing to the different functions of the judge and the 
jury, the distinction Is of great practical importance, be- 
cause when the plaintiff has given evidence which would 
entitle him If unanswered to go to the jury, It Is proper for 
him to tell counsel that the burden of proof Is on de- 
fendant, meaning that If the defendant adduces no evi- 
dence the plaintiff will be entitled to have the cane sub- 
mitted to the jury; but It Is error for him thereupon, 
whether defendant offers evidence or not, to tell the jury 
that the burden of proof Is on defendant to contradict 
E' itltf's case, for, considered as a task of satisfying the 
, the burden of proof remains upon the plaintiff 
ughout. Thr burden of proof Is never on the defen- 
dant In this sense, except In respect to an affirmative de- 
fense in avoidance as distinguished from a denial, (rf) 
In Scots law, the taking of evidence by a judge 
upon an issue framed in pleading. Sometimes 
disputed facts may bo sent to a jury, hut, except In ac- 
tions of damages, a proof is almost invariably the course 
adopted. . . . The evidence as the proof is taken down in 
shorthand, and counsel are heard at the close. Henry 
(Joudy. 
6. A tost applied to manufactured articles or 
to natural substances prepared for use ; hence, 
the state of that which has undergone this test, 
or is capable of undergoing it satisfactorily. 
Compare armor of proof. 7. In alcoholic 
liquors, the degree of strength which gives a 
specific gravity of 0.920. See II., '2. Liquors 
lighter than this are said to be abort proof, and heavier 
liquors are belmc proof. See oterproof and untlrrproof. 
The expressions " 20 per cent over proof," "20 per cent 
under proof," mean that the liquor contains 20 volumes 
of water for every 100 volumes over or under this fixed 
quantity, and that, in order to reduce the spirit to proof, 
20 per cent of water by volume must be subtracted or add- 
ed as the case may be. Spont' Encye. Manvf. , I. 215. 
8. In printing, a trial impression from com- 
posed type, taken for correction. Generally a 
number of successive proofs are read before the matter Is 
ready for the press, corrections Iwing made first in the 
printing-office until what Is technically called a dean 
proa/ can be submitted to the author. The final proof is 
called a prefix-proof or a foundry-proof ', the first being used 
of letterpress work, and the latter of plate-work. 
Lap. What says my printer now? 
Gat. Here 's your last proof, sir. (Giving proof-sheet.) 
You shall have perfect books now in a twinkling. 
Fletcher (and another?), Nice Valour, Iv. 1 (circa 1625). 
9. In engraving and etching, an impression taken 
from an engraved plate to show its state during 
the progress of executing it ; also, an early and 
superior impression, or one of a limited num- 
ber, taken before the title or inscription is en- 
graved on the plate, and known as proof before 
letter. There may be first, second, and third proofs, 
marking successive states of the work. See also artift't 
proof, India proof, proof icith open letter*, and proof irith 
remarque, below. 
10. In uumtx., any early impression struck at 
the mint from a coin-die used for producing the 
current coins of the realm. Proofs are often dis- 
tinguished from the coins struck off for actual currency 
by tuning their edges left plain instead of being milled or 
inscribed. They are also often struck in a metal of greater 
or less value than that which is proper to the current coin : 
thus, there are gold, silver, and bronze proof* of the Eng- 
lish copper farthing issued by George III. in 1799. Com- 
pare pattern, 8. 
11. In booktu nd i ii;i. the rough uncut edges of the 
shorter leaves of a trimmed book, which prove 
that the book has not been cut down too much. 
12. In (iritk.. an operation serving to check 
the accuracy of the calculation Acroamatic 
Proof. See acroamatic. A priori proof, (a) Proof de- 
auced from principles, (b) Proof independent of expcri- 
300 
4773 
ence. Armor Of proof, armor which has been proved 
trustworthy, or which is known to be trustworthy, as 
against ordinary weapons. Artist's proof, In cnijrariny, 
a first Impression taken from an engraved plate or block 
after its completion. Burden Of proof. See burden* 
and def. 5 (e\ Composite proof, direct proof. See 
the adjectives. Dogmatic or discursive proof. Same 
as acroamatic proof. Empirical proof? proof from 
actual experience. Foul proof, imperfect proof. See 
the adjectives. India proof. See India. Indirect 
proof, in loyic, same as apayuje, 1 (&). Irregular proof, 
a proof the external form of which Is different froni the 
standard form of logic. Making proof, under I'nlted 
States land laws, furnishing to the proper officer the 
requisite affidavit* of actual residence, etc., to entitle a 
settler to a patent for his land. Marked proof. See 
marked. -Mathematical proof.proof from construction 
of concepts, from a diagram or its equivalent. Mixed 
proof, a proof partly analytic and partly synthetic. 
Monosylloglstic proof, a proof consisting of a single 
syllogism. Ontologlcal, ostensive, positive proof. 
See the adjectives. Proof before letter, an early proof 
of a plate taken before the title or explanatory letter- 
ing has been engraved. Proof by notoriety. Same as 
judicial notice (which see, under notice). Proof of gun- 
powder, a test of strength, one ounce of powder being used 
with a 24-pound ball, which must be driven a distance of 
not leu than 250 yards. Proof of ordnance and small- 
arms, tests by means of hydraulic pressure and the tiring 
of heavy charges. Proof with open letters, or open- 
letter proof, an early proof of an engraving, on which 
the title is engraved In letters that are merely outlined. 
Proof with remark, or remark proof, a proof of an 
engraving or etching In which the early state Is denoted 
by one or more croqnls or fanciful marks traced on the 
margin, or by the absence of certain lines In different 
parts of the plate. These remarks are sometimes used 
to denote the different states of the plate up to the point of 
completion. Pure proof. See pure'. TO the proof*, 
to the quick ; so as to touch a vital part 
But now 111 speak, and to the proof, I hope. 
Marlowe, Edward II., i. 1. 
We must be patient : I am vex'd to the proof too. 
Fletcher, Wildgoose Chase, III. 1. 
= 8yn. 1. Experiment, essay, ordeal. 3. Testimony, etc. 
(see evidence and inference), demonstration, certification. 
II. . [Elliptical for of proof ': see proof, n., 
4.] 1. Impenetrable; able to resist, physical- 
ly or morally : as, water-/iroo/, fire-wroo/, shot- 
proof, \a\\w-proof: often followed by to or 
against before the thing resisted. 
Now put your shields before your hearts, and tight, 
With hearts more proof than shields. 
Shot., Cor., I. 4. 25. 
Now am I high proof 
For any action ; now could I light bravely, 
And charge into a wilddre. 
Beau, and I't.. Captain, iv. 2. 
I ... have found thce 
Proof agaituit all temptation. 
Mill,,,,. P. R., Iv. 533. 
I do not know ... a task so difficult in human life as 
to he proof again* the importunities of a woman a man 
loves. Steele, Spectator, No. 610. 
If James had not been proof to all warnings, these events 
would have sufficed to warn him. 
Macaulay, Hist. Eng., vl. 
2. Noting alcoholic liquors which have the 
specific gravity 0.91984, usually considered as 
0.920, which is sufficiently accurate for prac- 
tical purposes. Such spirits contain 0.495 of their 
weight, or 0.5727 of their volume, of absolute alcohol. The 
strength Is usually determined by a hydrometer. See alcn 
holoinftry, onerproof, and underproof. 
3. Of excellent quality: said of land. Halli- 
vell. [Prov. Eng.] -Proof strength. See the quo- 
tation. 
The proof strength is the load required to produce the 
greatest strain of a specific kind consistent with safety. 
lianlfiiu; Steam Engine, | 58. 
proof-armt, v. t. [<;>roo/+rm 2 .] To arm as 
with proof; make secure. 
Ken. She Is a handsome wench. 
Lev. A delicate, and knows It : 
And out of that proof-arms herself. 
Fletcher, Humorous Lieutenant, II. S. 
proof-armor (prCf'ar'mor), n. Same as armor 
of proof (which see, under proof). 
proofed (proft), a. [< proof + -erP.] Made 
proof; specifically, made water-proof: as, 
proofed silk. [Trade term.] 
proof-fult (prSf'ful), a. [< proof + -//.] Con- 
veying proof; bearing testimony. 
Had yon been so blest 
To give such honour to your captains' counsels 
As their alacrities did long to merit 
With provfuU action. Chapman, Cnsar and Pompey. 
proof-galley (prof 'gal'i), n. Inprinting, a brass 
galley flanged at one end and on both sides. 
The type to be proved is held in position by a 
sidestick secured by quoins. See galley, 5. 
proof-glass (prof'glas), n. A cylindrical glass 
vessel very deep in proportion to its diameter, 
and having a foot ana a lip for pouring out 
liquids; a hydrometer-glass. It Is principally used 
for holding liquids while testing their densities or specific 
gravities by the use of a hydrometer. See cut under Ay- 
drumcter. 
proof-spirit 
proof-house (prOf'lious), w. In giiii-ntaiinf., a 
building in which gun-barrels are proved or 
tested for flaws or defects by firing them with 
critical test-charges of a definite weight of a 
standard powder, and also by hydraulic pres- 
sure. See proof,n.,6. In London a proof home Is es- 
tablished by law, to which gun-barrels of different makers 
can be sent for proof. Guu-barrels which meet the test 
are then stamped with authorized proof-marks. 
proof- leaf (prof 'lef), . A proof; a proof-sheet. 
They appear printed In a few pnntf -leant of It In my 
possession. Boswell, Johnson, I. JIM. 
proofless (prSf'les), a. [< proof + -tea.] 
Lacking sufficient evidence to constitute proof; 
not proved. 
Such questionable, not to say altogether proof lea con- 
ceits. Boyle, Works, II. 290. 
prooflessly (pr6f les-li), nrfr. Without proof. 
The maxim . . . Locus couservat locatum . . . has been 
proof-Italy asserted. Boyle, Works, IV. 890. 
proof-mark (pro'f'mark), n. In gun-making, a 
mark stamped in the metal of a gun-barrel to 
show that it has been tested and found good. 
proof-plane (prSf'plan), n. In elect., a small 
thin metallic disk, insulated on a non-conduct- 
ing handle, by which electricity may be carried 
from one place to another. It Is used in experi- 
ments on the distribution of electricity ou conductors. 
When It is laid against the surface whose electric density 
It Is Intended to measure, It forms, as It were, a part of 
the surface, and takes the charge due to the area which It 
covers, which charge may be carried to an electrometer 
and measured. 
proof-press (prof pres), n. A printing-press 
used exclusively for taking proofs. 
proof-print (prof'print), n. An early impres- 
sion of an engraving, taken with greater care 
than an ordinary print ; a proof. 
proof-printer (prof 'priu'tev), H. In engrarint/, 
a skilled workman whose especial province is 
the printing of proofs from engraved or etched 
plates. 
proof-reader (prWrS'der), n. A person who 
reads printers' proofs for correction ; one whose 
occupation is to discover errors in proofs and 
note on them the necessary changes. A critical 
or editorial proiif-reader Is one who not only corrects the 
compositors' errors, but notes or points out the lapses of 
the original text, or makes or Indicates changes for its 
improvement. Proof-readers were originally called cor- 
rectors of the press, and that phrase still remains in literary 
or formal use, especially for those who read proofs for 
criticism as well as for correction. 
proof-reading (pr8f re'ding), . The correc- 
tion of errors in printers' proofs. See proof- 
reader. In marking a proof, the places In the text 
where changes are to be made are indicated in the fol- 
lowing modes. A caret (A) Is inserted in the bottom of a 
line at a point where something Is to be put In or a new 
paragraph Is to be made ; a line Is drawn through any- 
thing to be taken out or changed for something else, and 
under anything to l>e changed to different type ; the mark 
|~ Is made to the left of a word to be shifted In that di- 
rection, and _| to the right ; and letters or parts of a word 
improperly separated are connected by a curve or curves 
( - or O. In the last two cases the same marking Is re- 
peated In the margin. The other Indicative marks or signs 
made In the margin (besides a few strictly technical ones, 
which admit of much variation) are the following : * IT . V 
(dele-mark), representing d (4) for dele, take out ; > (turn- 
mark\ for turning an inverted letter ; it (space-mark), for 
inserting a space, or more space: J,, for putting down 
space ; Q, for inserting an em-quadrat, or increasing the 
space to that amount ; <3 ( paragraph-mark), for making a 
new paragraph ; x , for a broken or imperfect letter ; ftet 
(let It stand), for something that Is to remain after being 
crossed out, a row of dots being made under the erasure : 
tr. for transpose ; 10. /. for urong font (meaning a letter 
or letters of different size or face from the others) ; ital. 
for italic, and rom. for roman; cap. or can. for capital 
or capitals; s. . for small capitals; I. e. for loirer-case. 
In the last five cases, where only a single letter Is In- 
volved, proof-readers usually write the letter Itself In the 
margin, In the form desired, or with the proper under- 
scoring. In underscoring, italics are Indicated by a sin- 
gle line, small capitals by two Hues, and capitals by three 
lines. A single letter written as a capital does not usu- 
ally need to be underscored. Where two paragraphs in 
the text are to be joined or "run In," a line curving at 
the ends is drawn between them, and " No j " written In 
the margin. A marginal correction should always be 
written as nearly as possible opposite the place affected 
in the text; and where the connection cannot thus be 
made clear, a line should be drawn between the place 
and the correction. 
proof-sheet (prof'shet), n. A printers' proof. 
Mr. Arthur Pendennls having written his article, . . . 
reviewed it approvingly as it lay before him in Its wet 
pnof-theet at the office of the paper. 
Thackeray, Pendennis, xlvi. 
She recognized the name as that of a distinguished pub- 
lisher, and the packet as a roll of proof-sheets. 
H. James, Jr., Harper's Mag., LXXV1I. 106. 
proof-spirit (prof spir'it), H. Ill cnm., an alco- 
holic liquor which has a specific gravity of 0.9*^0, 
and contains 0.495 of its weight, or 0.5727 of its 
volume, of absolute alcohol. 
