dowodem

Dowodem is the instrumental singular form of the Polish noun dowód, meaning proof or evidence. The word refers to information, objects, or statements that establish the truth of a claim, or to a document that serves as evidence, such as a legal paper or an identity document (dowód osobisty). In usage, dowód can denote both an argument supporting a conclusion and tangible proof.

The instrumental form dowodem is used in constructions describing something that serves as evidence. Examples include: "To było dowodem na winę" (that was proof of guilt) and "To jest dowodem na to, że projekt przyniósł oczekiwane efekty." Common expressions include "na dowód" (as evidence for) and "dowód na…" followed by a clause or noun in the genitive.

Declension and related forms: dowód is a masculine noun. Singular: nominative dowód, genitive dowodu, dative dowodowi, accusative dowód, instrumental dowodem, locative dowodzie. Plural: nominative dowody, genitive dowodów, dative dowodom, accusative dowody, instrumental dowodami, locative dowodach. The plural dowody also means “evidence items” in contexts listing multiple proofs.

Etymology and related terms: dowód comes from a common Slavic root, with cognates such as Russian довод (dovod) and Ukrainian довод (dovod). Related verbs include udowodnić (to prove) and dowodzić (to demonstrate, in some contexts used more broadly).