n. The act of proving; proof.n. Any proceeding designed to ascertain truth, character, qualifications, or the like; trial; examination.n. Specifically — Eccles., the trial of a candidate for church membership, holy orders, or other ecclesiastical position and functions, preparatory to his final admission thereto.n. In theology, moral trial; a state of life affording an opportunity to test moral character.n. Any period of trial.n. In the Meth. Epis. Ch., a period, usually six months, at the end of which a candidate for admission to the church determines whether he will unite with the church, and the church decides whether he should be admitted to membership.