Search the Dictionary

To affect with sharp pain; to sting, as with remorse. "I was pricked with some reproof." Tennyson. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart. Acts ii. 37.

Proof. [Obs.] Spenser. Lydgate.

y is the appearance of the agreement or disagreement of two ideas, by the intervention of proofs whose connection is not constant, but appears for the most part to be so. Locke.

Proof; trial. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Proof. [Obs.] Skelton.

The act of proving; also, that which proves anything; proof. [Obs.] When by miracle God dispensed great gifts to the laity, . . . he gave probation that he intended that all should prophesy and preach. Jer. Taylor.

Serving for trial or proof; probationary; as, probative judgments; probative evidence. South.

Pertaining to, or serving for, proof. Jer. Taylor. Probatory term (Law), a time for taking testimony.

A question proposed for solution; a matter stated for examination or proof; hence, a matter difficult of solution or settlement; a doubtful case; a question involving doubt. Bacon.

To take a trial impression of; to take a proof of; as, to prove a page.

To take or make, as a proof or impression; -- hand presses being worked by pulling a lever.

To write " query" (qu., qy., or ) against, as a doubtful spelling, or sense, in a proof. See Quære.

A proof reader.

icient cause of an occurrence or a phenomenon; a motive for an action or a determination; proof, more or less decisive, for an opinion or a conclusion; principle; efficient cause; final cause; ground of argument. I'll give him reasons for it. Shak. The reason of the motion of the balance in a wheel watch is by the moti…

That which is offered in argument; proofs or reasons when arranged and developed; course of argument. His reasoning was sufficiently profound. Macaulay.

To check, silence, or put down, with reproof; to restrain by expression of disapprobation; to reprehend sharply and summarily; to chide; to reprove; to admonish. The proud he tamed, the penitent he cheered, Nor to rebuke the rich offender feared. Dryden.

To contradict, meet, or oppose by argument, plea, or countervailing proof. Abbott.

The act or process of refuting or disproving, or the state of being refuted; proof of falsehood or error; the overthrowing of an argument, opinion, testimony, doctrine, or theory, by argument or countervailing proof. Same of his blunders seem rather to deserve a flogging than a refutation. Macaulay.…

To disprove and overthrow by argument, evidence, or countervailing proof; to prove to be false or erroneous; to confute; as, to refute arguments; to refute testimony; to refute opinions or theories; to refute a disputant. There were so many witnesses in these two miracles that it is impossible to refute such multitudes…

A pointing out; manifestation; proof; demonstration. [Obs.] You may marvel why I . . . would not rather Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power Than let him be so lost. Shak.