prove English · revision 3069

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1200|origins=la probus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /pruːv/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|proven]], also pruven and preven,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) [[bor|fro|prover|t=to show, convince, put to the test]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la|probāre|t=to test, prove worthy, demonstrate]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[m|la|probus|t=worthy, good, upright]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[ine-pro|*pro-bhwo-|t=being in front]],^(Etymonline) formed from [[m|ine-pro|*pro-]] and [[m|ine-pro|*bhu-|t=to be]], the root of [[be]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) Old English had borrowed the Latin word earlier as [[m|ang|prōfian]].^(Hoad 1986) It is related to [[probe]], [[proof]] and [[probable]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To try by experience or by a test: probably before 1200, in the ''Ancrene Riwle'',^(Barnhart 1988) and about 1200 in Etymonline and the OED.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “To make certain, put beyond doubt” and to establish the validity of a will are from the early 13th century.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) “To turn out to be” after a trial is by the late 14th century.^(Etymonline) In Middle English the word had many more senses, including “to experience”, “to strive”, “to thrive” and “to approve, praise”, now obsolete.^(Etymonline) The old sense “to test” survives in ''the exception proves the rule'' and in ''proving ground'', a place for testing weapons, by 1837.^(Etymonline)^(AHD) In arithmetic, to check a calculation is from 1806.^(OED 1989) Of dough, to rise before baking, is a later technical sense.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate) The past participle ''proven'' is a Scottish form from about 1536.^(OED 1989)^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – to test, try.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * early 13th century – to establish beyond doubt.^(Etymonline)

+ * late 14th century – to turn out to be.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1536 – the form ''proven''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1806 – to check a calculation.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1837 – ''proving ground''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To show to be true by argument or [[evidence]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To turn out to be: ''the rumour proved false''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To establish the authenticity of a [[will]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To test or try out; to show one's ability: ''to prove oneself''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Of dough, to rise before baking.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[provability]]

+ * [[provable]]

+ * [[provably]]

+ * [[prover]]

+ * [[provableness]]

+ * [[provenly]]

+ * [[unproving]]

+ * [[overprove]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[approve]]

+ * [[probe]]

+ * [[probity]]

+ * [[proof]]

+ * [[probable]]

+ * [[probation]]

+ * [[improve]]

+ * [[be]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Proved'' is the older past participle, and ''proven'' is a Scottish variant that spread through legal use, as in the verdict ''not proven''; both are now well established in writing.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}