approofn.
/əˈpruːf/ archaic.
1. The act of proving; trial, experience, proof.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > trial, test, or testing > [noun]
fandingc1000
costningOE
assay1330
say?c1335
assayingc1375
experimenta1382
proofc1390
experience1393
tastinga1400
probationc1422
probe?a1425
approof1436
fraistingc1440
examination?1510
saying1512
approving1523
trial1526
test1594
approbationa1616
trya1616
proval1622
tempting1623
probatea1643
experimental1659
testinga1834
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > proof, demonstration > [noun]
provinga1325
verifymenta1325
comprobation1390
proofc1390
demonstrationc1391
approbation1393
monstrancea1400
probatea1400
probation?a1450
document1459
demonstrance1481
remonstration1490
verification?1541
eviction1571
remonstrance1583
conviction1646
convincement1656
approof1881
1436 in T. Wright Polit. Poems & Songs (1859) II. 167 Thys good kynge, be wytt of such appreffe, Kepte hys marchauntes..fro myscheffe.
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) ii. v. 2 A souldier..and of verie valiant approofe.
1881 A. C. Swinburne Mary Stuart iv. i Known By proof more potent than approof of law In all points guilty.
2. Sanction, approval, approbation.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > [noun]
willOE
allowancec1400
acceptationa1425
allowing1435
approof1439
approving1523
comprobation1529
owning1535
approbation1548
good liking?1560
suffrage1563
acceptance1569
liking1569
pleasure1569
allowment1570
approvance1592
probatum1606
approvement1615
sufferage1622
the light of a person's countenance1649
reception1660
receivedness1661
imprimatur1672
approval1690
sanction1738
go-down1753
rubber stamping1920
1439 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 119 In witnessyng and very a-pref whereof.. I have put the seale of my Armes.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. iv. 174 One and the selfesame tongue, Either of condemnation, or approofe . View more context for this quotation
1652 J. Gaule Πυς-μαντια 114 Whether any sound Orthodox Christian ever did write in the approof of judiciary and predicting Astrologie?
1861 D. G. Rossetti tr. Dante in Early Ital. Poets ii. 311 She bow'd her mild approof And salutation to all men of worth.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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