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direct proof

direct proof

1 6.6
A way to show something is true by using known facts and simple logical steps
  • noun
  • /dəˈrɛkt pruːf/
  • Specialized
translation icon : prueba directa
  • The physicists gathered data that served as a direct proof of their hypothesis regarding particle behavior.

Examples

  • Do you have any direct proof that they're wrong?

  • It would be interesting to have a direct proof of the equivalence of these two adversaries.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The most dramatic result was the vanishing of the Hall voltage, which offers direct proof that excitons form and that they act as neutral particles.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The mathematician presented a direct proof to demonstrate the theorem's validity without relying on assumptions.

  • After extensive testing, the team finally provided a direct proof that supported their original claim.

How Constructive

realizability
  • Specialized
9.1
direct proof
  • Specialized
1 6.6
mathematical proof
  • Specialized
1 5.9

Surface Forms

direct proof singular
direct proofs plural

Morphology

direct + proof

The phrase 'direct proof' is compositionally transparent: 'direct' (straight, immediate) modifies 'proof' to indicate a proof that proceeds straightforwardly from premises without detours or extra assumptions. This logical, literal combination is common in mathematical terminology across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Direct proof comes from the image of a straight path: direct suggests 'straight' and proof is a way to show something is 'true'. So a direct proof shows a statement is 'true' by moving straight from known facts to the conclusion without extra assumptions.