KJV Dictionary Definition: prove

prove

PROVE, v.t. prov. L. probo.

1. To try; to ascertain some unknown quality or truth by an experiment, or by a test or standard. Thus we prove the strength of gunpowder by experiment; we prove the strength or solidity of cannon by experiment. We prove the contents of a vessel by comparing it with a standard measure.

2. To evince, establish or ascertain as truth, reality or fact, by testimony or other evidence. The plaintiff in a suit, must prove the truth of his declaration; the prosecutor must prove his charges against the accused.

3. To evince truth by argument, induction or reasoning; to deduce certain conclusions from propositions that are true or admitted. If it is admitted that every immoral act is dishonorable to a rational being, and that dueling is an immoral act; then it is proved by necessary inference, that dueling is dishonorable to a rational being.

4. To ascertain the genuineness or validity of; to verify; as, to prove a will.

5. To experience; to try by suffering or encountering; to gain certain knowledge by the operation of something on ourselves, or by some act of our own.

Let him in arms the power of Turnus prove.

6. In arithmetic, to show, evince or ascertain 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. In other words, if the sum of the remainder and of the subtrahend, is equal to the minuend, the operation of subtraction is proved to be correct.

7. To try; to examine.

Prove your own selves. 2 Cor. 13.

8. Men prove God, when by their provocations they put his patience to trial, Ps.95.; or when by obedience they make trial how much he will countenance such conduct, Mal.3.

PROVE, v.i. To make trial; to essay.

The sons prepare--

To prove by arms whose fate it was to reign.

1. To be found or to have its qualities ascertained by experience or trial; as, a plant or medicine proves salutary.

2. To be ascertained by the event or something subsequent; as the report proves to be true, or proves to be false.

3. To be found true or correct by the result.

4. To make certain; to show; to evince.

This argument proves how erroneous is the common opinion.

5. To succeed.

If the experiment proved not--

Not in use.

proved

PROVED, pp. Tried; evinced; experienced.

proving

PROVING, ppr. Trying; ascertaining; evincing; experiencing.

Definitions from Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828.
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