What's the difference between explanation and proof?

Explanation


Definition:

  • (n.) The act of explaining, expounding, or interpreting; the act of clearing from obscurity and making intelligible; as, the explanation of a passage in Scripture, or of a contract or treaty.
  • (n.) That which explains or makes clear; as, a satisfactory explanation.
  • (n.) The meaning attributed to anything by one who explains it; definition; interpretation; sense.
  • (n.) A mutual exposition of terms, meaning, or motives, with a view to adjust a misunderstanding, and reconcile differences; reconciliation; agreement; as, to come to an explanation.

Example Sentences:

  • (1) Mannose receptor mediated uptake by the reticuloendothelial system has been suggested as an explanation for the rapid removal of ricin A chain antibody conjugates from the circulation after their administration.
  • (2) Thus the failure to raise anti-Id with internal image characteristics may provide an explanation for the lack of anti-gp120 activity reported in anti-Id antisera raised to multiple anti-CD4 antibodies.
  • (3) "Gut closure" is an unlikely explanation for these findings.
  • (4) The following possible explanations were discussed: a) the tested psychotropic drugs block prostaglandin receptors in the stomach; b) the test substances react with prostaglandin in the nutritive solution; c) the substances stimulate metabolic processes in the stomach wall that break down prostaglandin.
  • (5) It is possible that the formation of a mycetoma grain may limit a patient's exposure to antigens which confer specificity, an explanation which may also account for the variability in antibody responses seen.
  • (6) This paper provides an overview of the theory, indicating its contributions--such as a basis for individual psychotherapy of severe disorders and a more effective understanding of countertransference--and its shortcomings--such as lack of an explanation for the effects of physical and cognitive factors on object relatedness.
  • (7) Possible explanations of the clinical gains include 1) psychological encouragement, 2) improvements of mechanical efficiency, 3) restoration of cardiovascular fitness, thus breaking a vicous circle of dyspnoea, inactivity and worsening dyspnoea, 4) strengthening of the body musculature, thus reducing the proportion of anaerobic work, 5) biochemical adaptations reducing glycolysis in the active tissues, and 6) indirect responses to such factors as group support, with advice on smoking habits, breathing patterns and bronchial hygiene.
  • (8) Injections of l-amphetamine were not effective, ruling out non-specific effects of pH, osmolarity and the like and also ruling out noradrenergic actions as explanations of the behavioral effects.
  • (9) The interactions of nitrous oxide with cytochrome c oxidase isolated from bovine heart muscle have been investigated in search of an explanation for the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration by the inhalation anesthetic.
  • (10) Its potential association with midline facial defects as well as an alternative embryological explanation is discussed.
  • (11) A model for the binuclear iron center of ribonucleotide reductase is presented in which the hydroxide ligand sites provide an explanation for the half-of-sites reactivity of the enzyme.
  • (12) It was not certain whether the association was real or what the explanation might be.
  • (13) Such an explanation not only remains vague and speculative but deserves criticism also for being incomplete.
  • (14) The only explanation he can come up with is that Cameron is worried about his legacy.
  • (15) Transfer of nonprofessional tasks out of nursing and reduction of tension arising from reduced responsibility of nurses for coordinating activities with ancillary departments are possible explanations for the positive relation between the presence of SUM and professional nurses' satisfaction.
  • (16) The explanation in other cases may be behavioral: women who use birth control may be less risk taking in their sexual behavior.
  • (17) Possible explanations for the increased ability to better tolerate exercise and activities of daily living (ADL) after training include: 1) psychological encouragement, 2) improvements in mechanical efficiency, 3) improved cardiovascular conditioning, 4) improved muscle function, 5) biochemical adaptations responsible for reducing glucose utilization, 6) desensitization to dyspnea, and 7) contributions from better self-care.
  • (18) Patients with a high titre p24 antibody response progress to AIDS more slowly, and these data provide an explanation why p24 antigenaemia is not universally detected in patients with AIDS.
  • (19) An explanation of this in terms of terrestrial snail (intermediate host) populations and a suggestion for the possible use of these data in developing a predictive model for forecasting lungworm levels for use in in bighorn sheep management are given.
  • (20) We propose a structural explanation of these facts based on the known crystal structure of concanavalin A.

Proof


Definition:

  • (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.
  • (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.
  • (n.) Firmness of mind; stability not to be shaken.
  • (n.) A trial impression, as from type, taken for correction or examination; -- called also proof sheet.
  • (n.) A process for testing the accuracy of an operation performed. Cf. Prove, v. t., 5.
  • (v. t.) Armor of excellent or tried quality, and deemed impenetrable; properly, armor of proof.
  • (a.) Used in proving or testing; as, a proof load, or proof charge.
  • (a.) Firm or successful in resisting; as, proof against harm; waterproof; bombproof.
  • (a.) Being of a certain standard as to strength; -- said of alcoholic liquors.

Example Sentences:

  • (1) Now, as the Senate takes up a weakened House bill along with the House's strengthened backdoor-proof amendment, it's time to put focus back on sweeping reform.
  • (2) Immunohistochemical insulin proofs were positive in the peritoneum over a period of 3 months and in the liver up to one year after implantation.
  • (3) Although histologic proof of regression is not available, this experience suggests a more favorable prognosis than previously thought possible.
  • (4) I never accuse a student of plagiarizing unless I have proof, almost always in the form of sources easily found by Googling a few choice phrases.
  • (5) The appearance of plasma cells suggests local maturation of B cells and represents a morphologic proof of local production of immunoglobulins.
  • (6) Sharif Mobley, 30, whose lawyers consider him to be disappeared, managed to call his wife in Philadelphia on Thursday, the first time they had spoken since February and a rare independent proof he is alive since a brief phone call with his mother in July.
  • (7) There is general agreement that suicides are likely to be undercounted, both for structural reasons (the burden-of-proof issue, the requirement that the coroner or medical examiner suspect the possibility of suicide) and for sociocultural reasons.
  • (8) At least Depay departed having had a shot on target, something his manager will probably offer as proof United are improving.
  • (9) And Pippi Longstocking, her most famous character, comes really close to being the personified proof of that… So where did Pippi come from?
  • (10) The data are presented in proof of the existence of different as well as common pathways for virus inhibiting effects of different preparations.
  • (11) Proof of the eye's potent antimicrobial environment was demonstrated.
  • (12) Agüero tried to retreive the situation – proof that City had more than enough finishers on hand to take advantage of momentary Burnley disarray – though, forced away from goal, he shot from a narrow angle and missed the target.
  • (13) These case histories, and very substantial background proof of efficacy and safety, justify treating with CoQ10 patients in failure awaiting transplantation.
  • (14) There's no doubt Twitter is, for those who are into that kind of thing, a first-class social networking medium (the proof: pretty much every other social networking site, including Facebook, has tried to buy it and, having failed, adopted a whole raft of blatantly Twitter-like features of their own).
  • (15) When the Washington Post reports a boom in bullet-proof backpacks for children, it is not a good time to be a resident of a place colloquially known as The Arms.
  • (16) Proof stress, ultimate tensile strength, elongation, and plastic stiffness have been measured and results compared by use of analyses of variance.
  • (17) Jonathan's party and the biggest opposition coalition have traded accusations about who is sponsoring and arming Boko Haram, but none have provided any proof.
  • (18) Many drugs have been proposed although the documentary proof of their efficacy varies.
  • (19) Fielding said: "He [Stewart] mentioned that on the day before the execution, when Allen was visited by his wife for the last time, they were separated by a piece of what was supposed to be bullet-proofed glass.
  • (20) He compared the situation to insider trading or corruption, in which there may not be direct proof of a criminal quid pro quo taking place, but where there is a pattern of behaviour that warrants attention.