English → Latin
“proof” in Latin
probātiōtest, trial, inspection, examination; approbation, approval, assent; proof, demonstrationdēmōnstrātiōindication, description, designation, identification; demonstration, proofargūmentātiōargumentation; proofargūmentumargument (as in an argument for a position); evidence, a proof; a point, a theme; a topic, thesisratiōreason, reasoning, explanation, ground, motive, rationality, rationale, purpose; calculation, account, accounting, reckosignumvisible indication: sign, mark, signal; seal, signet; emblem, ensignindiciuminformation, evidence, discovery, notice; reward for information; indication, sign, proof, tokenspecimenmark, token, sign, indication, specimen; example, pattern, model; ornament, honorrudīmentumfirst attempt; beginning, commencement; first principles; rudimentstīrōciniumapprenticeship, tyrociny; first military service, first campaign, recruitment; military inexperience
The English word proof itself goes back to Latin probō, through proba.
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
proof
The act or mode of proving, probatio (in the Dig., also of proving before a court of justice): demonstratio (a showing by strong proof; in Vitr., 9, praef., 4, also of mathematical proof): argumentatio (by argument). To bring proof of anything [Vid: To PROVE]: it is difficult of proof, difficile est probatu.
Convincing argument, argumentum: ratio. To bring or allege proofs, argumenta or rationes afferre: to derive proofs from, argumenta ex re ducere, sumere, eruere (☞ a proof of anything, not argumentum pro aliqua re, but argumentum quo aliquid esse demonstratur, etc.): to bring many proofs for the existence of a God, multis argumentis Deum esse docere: that is no proof, nullum verum id argumentum est to produce or allege many proofs for that opinion, multa in eam partem probabiliter argumentari (Liv.). ☞ Argumentum is often left out when an adjective is used; e.g., “the strongest proof for this is, “, etc., firmissimum hoc afferri videtur, quod, etc. (Cic.)
Sign, token, signum: indicium: specimen (a visible sign; ☞ not in the plur.): documentum sui (sign of one’s ability): rudimentum, tirocinium (first sign of one’s proficiency in an art, etc.). To give or furnish a proof, rudimentum or tirocinium ponere; documentum sui dare (of one’s ability): specimen alicujus rei dare; significationem alicujus rei facere (e.g., probitatis): to serve as a proof, signo, indicio, documento esse.
Attempt to ascertain the quality of a person or thing, tentatio: tentamen: experimentum (an attempt, in order to gain experience): periculum (an attempt, attended with some risk). To make proof of a thing, experimentum alicujus rei capere; periculum alicujus rei or in aliqua re facere; aliquid tentare, experiri, or periditari; fidem alicujus explorare (to put to the proof).
(In printing) (In printing) trial sheet, *periculum typographicum (Ruhnken); *plagula exempli causa typis exscripta.
proof adj.
fidelis; (of armor, etc.) ad omnes ictus tutus (Liv.); impervius ferro: the mind is proof against misfortunes, animus malis sufficit (Ov.): virtue is proof against all force, nulla vi potest labefactari virtus (Cic.).
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for proof?
- The usual Latin words for “proof” are probātiō, dēmōnstrātiō, argūmentātiō; also argūmentum, ratiō, signum. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.