Prove (Verb)
Meaning 1
Take a trial impression of.
Classification
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing.
Examples
- The dentist will prove the trial denture by taking a final impression to ensure a correct fit.
- Before working with the valuable gemstone, the jeweler will prove the wax model by pouring a sample to see the results in metal.
- In the fitting room, she asked her seamstress to prove the dress pattern on muslin to check the style and measurements.
- To avoid costly mistakes, the chef proved the new recipe on a small group of trusted diners before serving it to the public.
- The sculptor will prove the clay model by creating a plaster replica to visualize and refine her work.
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Be shown or be found to be; "She proved to be right"; "The medicine turned out to save her life"; "She turned up HIV positive".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- The rumor proved to be true in the end after all the evidence came to light.
- He proved to be an invaluable member of the team during the project.
- Her parents were initially worried but the new nanny turned out to be kind and reliable.
- The blood test results proved him to be a genetically perfect match for the bone marrow transplant.
- The doctor feared the worst but fortunately the test results proved her to be cancer-free.
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Meaning 3
Increase in volume; "the dough rose slowly in the warm room".
Classification
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming.
Examples
- The yeast needed time to prove the mixture, making it double in volume.
- After mixing, the dough was left to prove in a warm corner of the kitchen.
- She gently placed the dough in a lightly oiled bowl to prove undisturbed.
- Covering the dough with a cloth allowed it to prove in the still warm oven.
- His cooking skills would prove better than his teaching, and everyone raved about his pastries.
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Meaning 4
Put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to; "This approach has been tried with good results"; "Test this recipe".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
Examples
- The new medication will need to prove effective before it can be released to the public.
- We need to prove the validity of this solution by running some tests.
- The latest smartphone will have to prove itself in the competitive tech market.
- Before you buy the ingredients, let's prove this cake recipe works.
- To prove the safety of their new ride, the company will perform numerous test rides.
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Meaning 5
Establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment; "The experiment demonstrated the instability of the compound"; "The mathematician showed the validity of the conjecture".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- The results of the clinical trial will prove the effectiveness of the new medication.
- Studies have shown that this method can prove the authenticity of ancient artifacts.
- We need more data to prove the link between pollution and climate change.
- Researchers believe the new experiment can prove Einstein's theory of relativity.
- Scientists have collected evidence to prove the existence of a new species of plant.
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Meaning 6
Obtain probate of; "prove a will".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- The executor of the estate must prove the will in court to settle the late businessman's affairs.
- In this case, the attorney was required to prove the will in order to secure the deceased's wishes.
- A probate was needed to prove the will, which would then become the foundation for distributing the legacy.
- The main task of the lawyer was to prove the will and prevent further disputes.
- Before they could access the properties, the siblings had to get a court judgment to prove the will left by their father.
Meaning 7
Prove formally; demonstrate by a mathematical, formal proof.
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- Euler's identity can be used to prove that e, i, and π are mathematically intertwined.
- We can prove the statement using basic logical equivalences.
- The theorem can be formally prove using the Riemann mapping theorem.
- Mathematicians can prove the convergence of the series by means of a ratio test.
- Archimedes was the first to prove that the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter is constant.
Hypernyms
Meaning 8
Provide evidence for; "The blood test showed that he was the father"; "Her behavior testified to her incompetence".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The DNA analysis will prove that the crime scene evidence belongs to the suspect.
- The birth certificate serves to prove her citizenship.
- The documents recovered from the hard drive will prove the company's involvement in the scandal.
- The eyewitness testimony will prove that the defendant was at the scene of the crime.
- The audit reports will prove the mismanagement of funds within the organization.
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Meaning 9
Cause to puff up with a leaven; "unleavened bread".
Classification
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming.
Examples
- Bakers need to let the dough prove overnight to give the bread its signature lightness.
- She gently folded in the yeast mixture to help the mixture prove evenly.
- After mixing the ingredients, allow the dough to rest for an hour to prove and develop its texture.
- To make the perfect baguette, it's essential to let the dough prove long enough to achieve the desired crumb.
- When making sourdough bread, a longer prove is often necessary to develop the bread's distinctive flavor.