prove

prove
\ \ [12] The ultimate source of prove was Latin probusgood’. This went back (like the related Sanskrit prabhu- ‘eminent, mighty’) to a prehistoric Indo-European compound *probhwo- ‘being in front’, hence ‘excelling’ (*promeant ‘in front’, and *bhwo- was the ancestor of English be). From it was derived the verb probāretest, approve, prove’, which has given English approve, probable, probe, proof, reprobate, reprove, and of course prove, acquired via Old French prover. Another Latin derivative of probus was probitāshonesty’, from which English gets probity [16].
\ \ Cf.APPROVE, PROBABLE, PROBE, PROOF, REPROBATE

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • prove — W1S2 [pru:v] v past tense proved past participle proved or proven [ˈpru:vən] especially AmE ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(show something is true)¦ 2¦(be)¦ 3 prove yourself/prove something (to somebody) 4 prove yourself (to be) something 5 what is s …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • prove — [ pruv ] (past participle proved or prov|en [ pruvn ] ) verb *** 1. ) transitive to provide evidence that shows that something is true: prove (that): You have to prove you are sorry for what you ve done. prove someone s innocence/guilt: He is… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Prove — Prove, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Proved}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Proving}.] [OE. prover, F. prouver, fr. L. probare to try, approve, prove, fr. probus good, proper. Cf. {Probable}, {Proof}, {Probe}.] 1. To try or to ascertain by an experiment, or by a test… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Prove It — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda «Prove It» Sencillo de Television del álbum Marquee Moon Lado B « Venus » Publicación 1977 …   Wikipedia Español

  • prove — 1 Prove, try, test, demonstrate are comparable when they mean to establish a given or an implied contention or reach a convincing conclusion by such appropriate means as evidence, argument, or experiment. The same distinctions in implications and …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • prove — / prüv/ vt proved, proved, or, prov·en, / prü vən/, prov·ing 1: to test the truth, validity, or genuineness of prove a will at probate 2 a: to establish the existence, truth, or validity of the charges were never …   Law dictionary

  • Prove — Prove, v. i. 1. To make trial; to essay. [1913 Webster] 2. To be found by experience, trial, or result; to turn out to be; as, a medicine proves salutary; the report proves false. The case proves mortal. Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster] So life a winter …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • prove — ► VERB (past part. proved or proven) 1) demonstrate by evidence or argument the truth or existence of. 2) show or be seen to be: the scheme has proved a great success. 3) (prove oneself) demonstrate one s abilities or courage. 4) Law establish… …   English terms dictionary

  • Prove-It! — is a children s science show broadcast on CITV.60 Second Prove it! [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ ] …   Wikipedia

  • prove — (v.) late 12c., prouwe, from O.Fr. prover (11c.), from L. probare to test, prove worthy, from probus worthy, good, upright, virtuous, from PIE *pro bhwo being in front, from *pro , extended form of root *per , + root *bhu to be (Cf. L. fui …   Etymology dictionary

  • prove — [pro͞ov] vt. proved, proved or proven, proving [ME proven < OFr prover < L probare: see PROBE] 1. to test by experiment, a standard, etc.; subject to a testing process; try out 2. to establish as true; demonstrate to be a fact 3. to… …   English World dictionary

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