What are the meaning and origin of "bear out"?

[kjc0123]

What are the meaning and origin of "bear out" in the following is sentence ? "Subsequent events bore out their predictions of costly retaliation by other nations."

[Quizmonster]

To 'bear out' has meant to 'support' since the 1400s. The meaning of 'bear' involved here is in the sense of 'carry' as in 'to bear a burden'. In your example, someone made a prediction which later events supported or proved to be true.