An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

A → proof in which one assumes the → truth of one of the → premises to show that if that premise is true then the → argument is → valid.

→ conditional; → proof.

Math.: An → argument that establishes an → existence theorem.

→ existence; → proof.

1) A particular piece of evidence that is sufficient to show or helps to establish a fact.
2) The establishment of the truth of anything; demonstration.
3) Math. Logic: A sequence of statements that establishes the truth of a proposition.

M.E. prove, prooff, prof, proufe, O.Fr. prueve, from L.L. proba "a proof," a back-formation from L. probare "to prove," from probus "worthy, good, upright," from PIE *pro-bhwo- "being in front," from → pro- + *bhu- "to be;" cf. Pers. budan "to be," → condition.

Âvin, on the model of Ger. Beweis "proof," from weisen "to show, point out;" O.E. witan "to see." âvin "to show, see," from intensive prefix â- + vin "to see" (as in a large number of dialects), variant bin, present stem of didan "to see;" Mid.Pers. wyn-; O.Pers. vain- "to see;" Av. vaēn- "to see;" cf. Skt. veda "I know;" Gk. oida "I know," idein "to see;" L. videre "to see;" Ger. weisen "to show," as above; PIE base *weid- "to know, to see."

A proof that occurs within the context of a larger proof

→ sub-; → proof.