arch. Also 5 appreffe, apref. [a. OFr. aprove, -euve, proof, trial, f. aprove-r:—L. approbā-re: see APPROBATE and APPROVE. Cf. the simple proof, a. OFr. prove, preuve.]
1. The act of proving; trial, experience, proof.
1436. Pol. Poems (1859), II. 167. Thys good kynge, be wytt of such appreffe, Kepte hys marchauntes … fro myscheffe.
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, II. v. 3. A Souldier … and of verie valiant approofe.
1881. Swinburne, Mary Stuart, IV. i. Known By proof more potent than approof of law In all points guilty.
2. Sanction, approval, approbation.
1439. E. E. Wills (1882), 119. In witnessyng and very a-pref whereof … I have put the seale of my Armes.
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., II. iv. 174. One and the selfesame tongue, Either of condemnation, or approofe.
1652. Gaule, Magastrom., 114. Whether any sound orthodox Christian ever did write in the approof of judiciary and predicting astrologie?
a. 1850. Rossetti, Dante & Circle, I. (1874), 111. She bowed her mild approof And salutation to all men of worth.
