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Proof
Proof (2000), a play by David Auburn. [Walter Kerr Theatre, 917 perf.; Pulitzer Prize, Tony, NYDCC Awards.] Catherine ( Mary‐Louise Parker) is the daughter of a brilliant mathematician who was driven to insanity and death by the realization that he could never surpass the genius of his youthful years. She has inherited some of her father's melancholia as well as his mathematical skills, and her sister, Claire ( Johanna Day), wants her to leave the family home in Chicago and come back to New York with her, where mental help is waiting. But Catherine shows Hal ( Ben Shenkman), the young mathematics teacher who is smitten with her, a math proof that dazzles him and she must then convince him and Claire that she is the one who wrote it. A penetrating character study as well as a gripping whodunit of sorts, the play was first presented Off Broadway by the Manhattan Theatre Club, then transferred to Broadway, where it was a surprise hit, helped by Parker's Tony Award–winning performance and the astute direction of Daniel Sullivan. David AUBURN (b. 1969) was born in Chicago, raised in Ohio and Arkansas, and educated at Juilliard. Proof was his first play of note, and in 2001 he adapted a one‐person musical by the late Jonathan Larson into Tick, Tick. . . Boom!
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Cite this article
Gerald Bordman and Thomas S. Hischak. "Proof." The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. Gerald Bordman and Thomas S. Hischak. "Proof." The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O149-Proof.html Gerald Bordman and Thomas S. Hischak. "Proof." The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. 2004. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O149-Proof.html |
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Proof
PROOFThe establishment of a fact by the use of evidence. Anything that can make a person believe that a fact or proposition is true or false. It is distinguishable from evidence in that proof is a broad term comprehending everything that may be adduced at a trial, whereas evidence is a narrow term describing certain types of proof that can be admitted at trial. The phrase burden of proof includes two distinct concepts, the burden of persuasion and the burden of going forward. The burden of persuasion is the duty of a party to convince the trier of fact of all the elements of a cause of action. The burden of going forward refers to the need of a party to refute evidence introduced at trial that damages or discredits his or her position in the action. The burden of persuasion remains with the plaintiff or prosecutor throughout the action, whereas the burden of going forward can shift between the parties during the trial. In a civil action, the requisite degree of proof is a preponderance of the evidence.The plaintiff must show that more probably than not the defendant violated his or her rights. In a criminal action, the prosecutor has the burden of establishing guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. cross-references |
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Cite this article
"Proof." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Proof." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437703551.html "Proof." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437703551.html |
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proof
proof that which makes good a statement XIII; action of proving or testing XIV; something produced as a test XVI. Later ME. prōf (pl. prōves), superseding earlier prēf, prēve — OF. pr(o)eve, prueve (mod. preuve):- Late L. proba, f. probāre test, PROVE. The substitution of prōf for prēf was due to assim. to the vb.
Hence proof adj. of tested strength XVI; prob. from ellipsis of of in † armour of proof. |
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T. F. HOAD. "proof." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "proof." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-proof.html T. F. HOAD. "proof." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-proof.html |
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proof
proof the proof of the pudding is in the eating proverbial saying, early 14th century, meaning that the truth of an assertion will be demonstrated by how things actually turn out; proof here means ‘test’ rather than the more normal ‘verification, proving to be true.’
See also burden of proof. |
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "proof." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "proof." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-proof.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "proof." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-proof.html |
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proof
proof adj. able to withstand something damaging; resistant: the hardened walls were proof against most weapons.
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"proof." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "proof." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-proof.html "proof." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-proof.html |
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proof
proof in law: see evidence . |
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"proof." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "proof." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-proof1.html "proof." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-proof1.html |
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proof
proof •aloof, behoof, goof, hoof, pouffe, proof, roof, shadoof, spoof, Tartuffe, underproof, woof
•flameproof • rainproof • greaseproof
•heatproof • windproof • bulletproof
•childproof • shockproof • mothproof
•stormproof • soundproof • foolproof
•sunroof • ovenproof • rustproof
•fireproof • showerproof
•shatterproof • waterproof
•weatherproof
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"proof." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "proof." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-proof.html "proof." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-proof.html |
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