prova Italian · revision 37681

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=end of the 12th century|origins=la probō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ˈprɔ.va/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''prova''' ''f'' (plural prove)^(Wiktionary)

+ The older form ''pruova'' is now disused, and Old Italian also had ''proa''.^(GDLI|14, 765)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a noun formed from [[provare|t=to test, try; to prove]], as GRADIT, Devoto–Oli and the GDLI explain it.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(GDLI|14, 765) Nocentini and Wiktionary take it instead from [[la-lat|proba|t=test, proof]], itself formed from [[la|probō|t=to test; to approve; to prove]].^(Nocentini 2010)^(Wiktionary) Either way the same noun is found in [[fr|preuve]], [[oc|proa]], [[ca|prova]], [[es|prueba]] and [[pt|prova]].^(Nocentini 2010)^(REW 1935)

+

+ The Latin verb is formed from [[m|la|probus|t=good, excellent]], which de Vaan traces to [[ine-pro|*pro-bʰ(h₂)u-o-]], literally “being in front”.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ GRADIT dates the word to the end of the 12th century.^(GRADIT 2003) DELI's first record of the sense “ordeal, test one undergoes to show one's qualities” is in an anonymous poet of the first half of the 13th century, and of “test, experiment” in Orlanduccio Orafo, of the 13th century.^(DELI 1999) The GDLI quotes Orlanduccio: ''Al paragon dell'oro si fa prova: / così a la bisongna de l'amico'' “Gold is tested on the touchstone, and so is a friend in need”.^(GDLI|14, 765)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The sense “evidence, document proving a fact” is in Brunetto Latini (before 1294), the mathematical “proof of a theorem or calculation” in 1561, and “rehearsal of a show” in 1804.^(DELI 1999) Later the word was used for an examination at school and for a sporting event, and in law for the means by which a party proves a fact.^(GRADIT 2003)

+

+ Through Old French the word passed into English as [[m|en|proof]] and into Dutch as [[m|nl|proef]], while German [[m|de|Probe]] is from Medieval Latin.^(DEI|3121)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * End of the 12th century – GRADIT's date of first record.^(GRADIT 2003)

+ * First half of the 13th century – An anonymous poet uses ''prova'' for an ordeal.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 13th century – Orlanduccio Orafo uses it for a test.^(DELI 1999)

+ * Before 1294 – Brunetto Latini uses it for evidence.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1561 – Alessandro Citolini uses it for a mathematical proof.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1804 – D'Alberti records it for a rehearsal.^(DELI 1999)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|test]], [[m|en|trial]] or experiment, made to check the qualities of a thing or a person or how something works: ''un periodo di prova''; also the fitting of a garment at the tailor's.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Wiktionary)

+ # An [[m|en|exam]] or part of one: ''la prova scritta''.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Wiktionary)

+ # An attempt: ''Ci è riuscito alla terza prova.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(sports)'' An event or trial in a competition.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(theater)'' A [[m|en|rehearsal]]: ''la prova generale''.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A hard trial, a situation that tests someone: ''mettere a dura prova''.^(GRADIT 2003)

+ # [[m|en|proof]], evidence: ''le prove dell'accusa''; also a sign that shows a quality: ''una prova di coraggio''.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[provino]]

+ * [[provetta]]

+ * [[controprova]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[provare]]

+ * [[provato]]

+ * [[riprova]]

+ * [[probo]]

+ * [[la|probō]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Set phrases include ''a prova di bomba'' “bombproof, absolutely reliable”, ''fino a prova contraria'' “until proved otherwise” and ''banco di prova'' “testing ground”.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026) An old ''prova'' “prow” is a variant of [[proda]] and [[prora]].^(DEI|3121)^(TLIO)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}