proof in the law, which have specific definitions within the law is obvious to all who are educated in the law. The words as used in the law are terms of art, which don't necessarily line up with your Funk & Wagnall's dictionary.
Evidence -
Any matter of fact that a party to a lawsuit offers to prove or disprove an issue in the case.
Proof -
The establishment of a fact by the use of evidence. Anything that can make a person believe that a fact or proposition is true or false. It is distinguishable from evidence in that proof is a broad term comprehending everything that may be adduced at a trial, whereas evidence is a narrow term describing certain types of proof that can be admitted at trial.
https://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/evidence
https://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/proofEdited by MizzouTigerz at 11:01:59 on 12/23/20