proof (printing)

proof in printing, a trial impression for inspection. Proofreading is the inspection and marking of proof for correction of errors and imperfections. Proofreaders' marks are included in dictionaries. Directions for proofreading are given in several sources including The Chicago Manual of Style, published by the Univ. of Chicago Press (15th ed. 2003); Words into Type, by M. E. Skillin and R. M. Gay (3d ed. 1974); and The Fine Art of Copyediting, by E. M. Stainton (1991).

proof / proōf/ • n. 1. evidence or argument establishing or helping to establish a fact or the truth of a statement: you will be asked to give proof of your identity| this is not a proof for the existence of God. ∎  Law the spoken or written evidence in a trial. ∎  the action or process of establishing the truth of a statement: it shifts the onus of proof in convictions from the police to the public. ∎ archaic a test or trial. ∎  a series of stages in the resolution of a mathematical or philosophical problem. 2. a trial print of something, in particular: ∎  Printing a trial impression of a page, taken from type or film and used for making corrections before final printing. ∎  a trial photographic print made for initial selection. ∎  each of a number of impressions from an engraved plate, esp. (in commercial printing) of a limited number before the ordinary issue is printed and before an inscription or signature is added. ∎  any of various preliminary impressions of coins struck as specimens. 3. the strength of distilled alcoholic liquor, relative to proof spirit taken as a standard of 100: [in comb.] powerful 132-proof rum. • adj. 1. able to withstand something damaging; resistant: the marine battle armor was proof against most weapons| [in comb.] the system comes with idiot-proof instructions. 2. denoting a trial impression of a page or printed work: a proof copy is sent up for checking. • v. [tr.] 1. make (fabric) waterproof: [as adj.] (proofed) the tent is made from proofed nylon. 2. make a proof of (a printed work, engraving, etc.): [as n.] (proofing) proofing could be done on a low-cost printer. ∎  proofread (a text): a book about dinosaurs was being proofed by the publisher. 3. activate (yeast) by the addition of liquid. ∎  knead (dough) until light and smooth. ∎  [intr.] (of dough) prove: shape into a baguette and let proof for a few minutes.