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Remarks by way of criticism and usually of censure; adverse criticism; reproof; blame. He dismissed their commissioners with severe and sharp animadversions. Clarendon.

Mere spiritedness or courage. [Obs.] Skelton. Such as give some proof of animosity, audacity, and execution, those she [the crocodile] loveth. Holland.

Antecedent; preceding in time. "Capable of antecedaneous proof." Barrow.

A call upon a person or an authority for proof or decision, in one's favor; reference to another as witness; a call for help or a favor; entreaty. A kind of appeal to the Deity, the author of wonders. Bacon.

Proof; attestation. [Obs.] Shak.

To make proof of; to demonstrate; to prove or show practically. Opportunities to approve . . . worth. Emerson. He had approved himself a great warrior. Macaulay. 'T is an old lesson; Time approves it true. Byron. His account . . . approves him a man of thought. Parkman.

One who approves. Formerly, one who made proof or trial.

A warm waterproof overshoe. [U.S.]

Proof; evidence. [Obs.] There is.. no more palpable and convincing argument of the existence of a Deity. Ray. Why, then, is it made a badge of wit and an argument of parts for a man to commence atheist, and to cast off all belief of providence, all awe and reverence for religion South.

Adductive as proof; indicative; as, the adaptation of things to their uses is argumentative of infinite wisdom in the Creator. [Obs.]

tinction from laws, authorities, and the like, which are called inartificial arguments or proofs. Johnson. -- Artificial classification (Science), an arrangement based on superficial characters, and not expressing the true natural relations species; as, "the artificial system" in botany, which is the same as the Linnæ…

mposition of bitumen, pitch, lime, and gravel, used for forming pavements, and as a water-proof cement for bridges, roofs, etc.; asphaltic cement. Artificial asphalt is prepared from coal tar, lime, sand, etc. Asphalt stone, Asphalt rock, a limestone found impregnated with asphalt.

To take for granted, or without proof; to suppose as a fact; to suppose or take arbitrarily or tentatively. The consequences of assumed principles. Whewell.

The act of taking for granted, or supposing a thing without proof; supposition; unwarrantable claim. This gives no sanction to the unwarrantable assumption that the soul sleeps from the period of death to the resurrection of the body. Thodey. That calm assumption of the virtues. W. Black.

nvict; -- said esp. of a jury on trial for giving a false verdict. [Obs.] Upon sufficient proof attainted of some open act by men of his own condition. Blackstone.

To give proof of; to manifest; as, the ruins of Palmyra attest its ancient magnificence.

To render authentic; to give authority to, by the proof, attestation, or formalities required by law, or sufficient to entitle to credit. The king serves only as a notary to authenticate the choice of judges. Burke.

ive law to himself. In this, according to Kant, consist the true nature and only possible proof of liberty. Fleming.

erve. This project Should have a back or second, that might hold, If this should blast in proof. Shak.

To take for granted; to assume without proof.