Definition of "evince"

For You will find in the Progress of our Dispute, that I had some reason to question the very way of Probation imploy'd both by Peripateticks and Chymists, to evince the being and number of the Elements.

1661, Robert Boyle, The Sceptical Chymist, London: J. Cadwell for J. Crooke, Physiological Considerations, p. 32

Common sense and experience will and must evince the truth of this.

a. 1716, Robert South, “Idolatry: in what it consists”, in Selections from the writings of Robert South, D.D. With a memoir, page 257

To evince the abſurdity of that prejudice which conſiders human creatures as brutes, merely becauſe they differ from ourſelves in colour, I muſt beg leave to mention a few of the principal ceremonies that attended the ratification of this peace.

1796, J[ohn] G[abriel] Stedman, chapter III, in Narrative of a Five Years’ Expedition against the Revolted Negroes of Surinam, in Guiana, on the Wild Coast of South America; […], volume I, London: J[oseph] Johnson, […], and J. Edwards, […], page 60

‘That unless all the people of Kasson would embrace the Mohammedan religion, and evince their conversion by saying eleven public prayers, he, the king of Foota-Torra, could not possibly stand neuter in the present contest, but would certainly join his arms to those of Kajaaga.’

1815, Mungo Park, chapter VI, in Travels in the Interior of Africa, Cassell, published 1893

Could a man so situated fail to evince the joy he felt in the circumstance expected; thereby, delighting and sustaining his suffering young wife, if he were not wrapt and absorbed in the contemplation of an object still more interesting—an object still living, still capable, however high or virtuous, of working woe to Isabella?

1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], chapter XXVII, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], page 50

Quite an excellent repast consisting of rashers and eggs, fried steak and onions, done to a nicety, delicious hot breakfast rolls and invigorating tea had been considerately provided by the authorities for the consumption of the central figure of the tragedy who was in capital spirits when prepared for death and evinced the keenest interest in the proceedings from beginning to end [...]

1922 February, James Joyce, “[Episode 12: Cyclops]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, […], part II [Odyssey], page 296

As the game proceeded it became evident that Porgy's luck was with him; he was the most consistent winner, and Sportin' Life was bearing most of the burden. But the mulatto was too good a gambler to evince any discomfiture.

1925, DuBose Heyward, Porgy‎, London: Jonathan Cape, published 1928, pages 89–90

When Mrs C. described this to me the next day she shuddered all over, but also evinced, in her manner and choice of words, an unmistakable relish.

1973, Oliver Sacks, Awakenings, New York: Vintage, published 1999, page 169

Bare reportage cannot convey the deep hatred sometimes evinced between men through the simplest address.

1992, Adam Thorpe, Ulverton, New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, published 1994, page 239

But despite the overt similarity of the rules, Rome II does not evince a broad, transatlantic consensus on conflict of laws. The new European rules differ from outwardly similar American formulations in animating principle.

2010, Clay H. Kaminsky, “The Rome II Regulation: A Comparative Perspective on Federalizing Choice of Law”, in Tulane Law Review, volume 85, number 1, page 73