Proof and Instance

proof

Any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something.
- usage: "if you have any proof for what you say, now is the time to produce it"
- synonyms: cogent evidence
A formal series of statements showing that if one thing is true something else necessarily follows from it.
A measure of alcoholic strength expressed as an integer twice the percentage of alcohol present (by volume. )
Printing) an impression made to check for errors.
- synonyms: test copy, trial impression
A trial photographic print from a negative.
The act of validating; finding or testing the truth of something.
- synonyms: validation, substantiation

Make or take a proof of, such as a photographic negative, an etching, or typeset.
Knead to reach proper lightness.
- usage: "proof dough"
Read for errors.
- usage: "I should proofread my manuscripts"
- synonyms: proofread
Activate by mixing with water and sometimes sugar or milk.
- usage: "proof yeast"
Make resistant (to harm. )
- usage: "proof the materials against shrinking in the dryer"

Used in combination or as a suffix. ( able to withstand)
- usage: "temptation-proof"; "childproof locks"

(a.) Being of a certain standard as to strength; -- said of alcoholic liquors.
(n.) Any effort, process or operation designed to establish or discover a fact or truth; an act of testing; a test; a trial.
(n.) That degree of evidence which convinces the mind of any truth or fact, and produces belief; a test by facts or arguments that induce or tend to induce, certainty of the judgment; conclusive evidence; demonstration.
(v.t.) Armor of excellent or tried quality, and deemed impenetrable; properly, armor of proof.
(n.) A process for testing the accuracy of an operation performed. Cf. Prove, v. t., 5.
(a.) Firm or successful in resisting; as, proof against harm; waterproof; bombproof.
(n.) The quality or state of having been proved or tried; firmness or hardness that resists impression or does not yield to force; impenetrability of physical bodies.
(a.) Used in proving or testing; as, a proof load or proof charge.
(n.) A trial impression, as from type, taken for correction or examination; -- called also proof sheet.
(n.) Firmness of mind; stability not to be shaken.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

instance

An occurrence of something.
- usage: "it was a case of bad judgment"; "another instance occurred yesterday"; "but there is always the famous example of the Smiths"
- synonyms: case, example
An item of information that is typical of a class or group.
- usage: "this patient provides a typical example of the syndrome"; "there is an example on page 10"
- synonyms: example, illustration, representative

(n.) That which is instant or urgent; motive.
(n.) That which offers itself or is offered as an illustrative case; something cited in proof or exemplification; a case occurring; an example.
(n.) Occasion; order of occurrence.
(n.) The act or quality of being instant or pressing; urgency; solicitation; application; suggestion; motion.
(v.t.) To mention as a case or example; to refer to; to cite; as, to instance a fact.
(n.) A token; a sign; a symptom or indication.
(v.i.) To give an example.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary