probably 
2t. Plausibly; with verisimilitude. 
Tboae that held religion was the difference of man from 
beasts have spoken probably. 
Sir T. Broteae, Rellgio Medici, i. 20. 
Call this a Mede, and that a Parthian youth ; 
Talk probably ; no matter for the truth. 
Dryden, tr. of Ovid's Art of Love, L 200. 
probalt (pro'bal), a. [< LL. proba, proof, + -al.] 
Probable. 
This advice is free I give, and honest, 
Probal to thinking, and Indeed the course 
To win the Moor again. Shak., Othello, ii. 3. 344. 
probalityt (pro-bal'i-ti), ii. [Appar. 
-iti/; but prob. an error for probabilil 
ability. 
(After describing a far-fetched derivation for the name 
Briyantei.] But if such a conjecture may take place, 
others might with as great probatity derive them from the 
Brlgantes of Britaine. 
Holland, tr. of Camden, II. 84. (Dana.) 
probang (pro'bang), n. In surg., a long and 
4742 
to those to whom It was never preached, or who never ap- 
prehended It, In this life, particularly to the heathen and 
to those dying in infancy. In this latter and more com 
mon form it is entertained by members of various Prot- 
estant denominations. This doctrine is distinguishable 
from the doctrine of purgatory, or future disciplinary suf- 
ferings for the faithful, supposed to be necessary for their 
purification, and from the various forms of universalism, 
which holds that in a future probation all men will sooner 
or later accept the gospel. 
probational (pro-ba'shon-al), o. [< probation 
+ -at.] Serving for trial or probation. 
Their afflictions are not penal, but medicinal, or proba- 
tional. Bp. Richardion, Obs. on the Old Testament, p. 278. 
probationary (pro-ba'shon-a-ri), a. [< proba- 
tion + -ariy.J Pertaining to probation; em- 
bracing or serving for trial or probation. 
Like Eden's dread probationary tree, 
Knowledge of good and evil Is from Thee. 
Cowper, Progress of Error, 1. 468. 
That the present life is a sufficient period of probation- 
ary existence to the Righteous will be readily acknow- 
ledged by all men. Timothy Dwioht, Sermons, clxili. 
dies or the removal of foreign bodies, 
probate (pro'bat), a. and 11. [< L. probatus, pp. 
of probare, test, examine, judge of: see probe, 
prove.] I. a. It. Proved; approved. 
The veray true & probate assercyons of hystoryal men 
tonchynge and concernynge thantyquytes of thonourable 
monastery of cure lady in Olastenburye. 
Joteph of Arimathie (E. E. T. 8.), p. 27. 
problem 
Take, . . . if your point be rest. 
Lettuce and cowslip wine; Probatum at. 
Pope, 1 inn of Horace, II. L 18. 
probe (prob), v. t. ; pret. and pp. probed, ppr. 
probing. [< L. probare, test, examine, prove, < 
probus, good : see prove, an older form from the 
same L. verb. The verb probe is partly from 
the noun.] 1. To examine with or as with a 
probe; explore, as a wound or other cavity, 
especially of the body: often used of searching 
for some extraneous object in a part or organ 
by means of an instrument thrust into it. 
Yet durst she not too deeply probe the wound. 
Dryden, Hind and Panther, III. 
Thither too the woodcock led her brood, to probe the 
mud for worms. Thoreau, Walden, p. 24ft. 
2. Figuratively, to search to the bottom ; scru- 
tinize ; examine thoroughly into. 
The late discussions In parliament, and the growing 
disposition to probe the legality of all act* of the crown, 
rendered the merchants more discontented than ever. 
llaMnm. 
Why do I seek to prube my fellow's sin ? 
William Marrit, Earthly Paradise, II. 170. 
3. To prick, as a sealed can, so as to allow the 
compressed air or gas within to escape. 
i may give proof of cer- 
ilace or state. 
Every day gain to their college some new probationer, probe (prob), H. [<LL.pro6a, aproof,<J>ro6aiw, 
B. Jonton, Epicane, 1. 1. t es t | examine, prove: see probe, v., and proof, n. 
ationer 
2. Relating to the proof or establishment of 
wills and testaments: as, probate duties pro- 
bate Act, an English statute, also called the Court of 
Probate Act, 1857 (20 and 21 Viet,, c. 77X abolishing the 
jurisdiction of ecclesiastical and other courts in matters 
of probate of wills and administration, and vesting it in a 
new court of Probate, whose authority was increased by 
the Confirmation and Probate Act, 1858 (21 and 22 Viet., 
c. 56), and the Court of Probate Act, 1858 (Id. , c. 95). Pro- 
bate courts, the general name given in American law to 
courts having jurisdiction of probate and administration. 
Often more specifically called orphant' courts, turroyateg' 
court*, etc. Probate judge. See judge . 
II. n. It. Proof. 
Macrobius, that did treat* 
Of Sclplon's dreme what was the treu probate. 
Skelton, Garland of Laurel, I. 3C8. 
Cf. Sp. tienta, a surgeon's probe, < tentar, try, 
test: see tempt.] 1. A proof; a trial; a test. 
We who believe life's bases rest 
Beyond the probe of chemic test Lowell. 
2t. A printer's proof. 
The thanksgiving for the queen's majesty's preservation 
I have Inserted into the collect, which was apter place In 
my opinion than In the psalm ; ye shall see in the probe 
of the print, and after judge. 
Abp. Grindal, Remains, p. 263. (Daviet.) 
3. In stirg., a slender flexible rod of silver or 
other substance for examining the conditions 
of a wound or other cavity, or the direction of 
a sinus Nelaton's probe, a probe tipped with un- 
glazed porcelain, used in feeling for bullets. The lead, If 
touched, leaves a mark upon the porcelain. 
While yet a young 
And candidate for heaven. 
Dryden, To the Memory of Mrs. Anne KlUigrew, 1. 21. 
Specifically (a) A novice. 
A stripling divine or two of those newly-fledged proba- 
tioners that usually come scouting from the university, and 
He here no lame legers to pop into the Bcthesda of some 
knight's chaplainshlp. Milton, Colasterlon. 
Green probationer! in mischief. Lamb, Old Actors. 
(b) In the Presbyterian churches in Scotland, one who has 
Iwen licensed to preach, but who has not been ordained 
or does not hold a pastoral charge. 
How do they expect a probationer to become a capable 
teacher if they never give him the chance of a pulpit? 
W. Black, In Far Lochaber, viil. 
(c) In the Meth. Kpii. Ch.. a candidate for membership re- 
ceived for a specified period on trial before final admission. 
probationership (pro-ba'shon-er-ship), . [< probe-pointed (proVpoin'ted), o. Having a 
probationer + -ship.] The condition or state blunt end, like that of a probe; not sharp-point 
of being a probationer. 
He has afforded us the twilight of probability, suitable 
to that state of mediocrity and probationerthip. Locke, 
probationisrn (pro-ba'shon-izm), n. [(.proba- uu to opeu WUUHUH, tue umucvi wm^u. w u- 
_ tion + -inm.] views or beliefs as to human mit of being thrust into the orifice, has a button 
ceased' and'lts admission thereupon to record as such. It probation in relation to the future state. Heli- at the end. 
determines or Implies that the Instrument is genuine, and ;<>,, Herald, July 15. 1886. probing-awl (pro'bing-al), II. A steel prod or 
regular in form and execution, and that the testator was _v. / .v ij / ._:_i. /,,- Vin'slmii i*H n K iirnlin- ' ' *.-< =_ 
competent to make a will, hut not usually that the pro- probatiomst (1>10 St), n. 
visions of the will are valid, (b) A copy of the will so tion + -int.] A probationer, 
proved, authenticated by the court, usually under its seal, what portion of the j 
and with a certificate that it has been proved, etc. church become full members? 
Probate In common form, a summary probate granted The Congreyationalitt, May 14, 1885. 
in some jurisdictions on production of the will with an ... ,. , v -/ u -v_\ . r/ 
affidavit, when there is no contest: as distinguished from probatlOnship (pro-ba shon-shlp), II. [< 
probate in tolemn form, or by litigation on Issues or op- hation + -litp.] A state of probation ; 
tiate; probation. [Rare.] 
Before the end of these ladles' probationthip and matric- 
ulation, his majesty charged the cathedral doctors to dis- 
miss them out of the university. 
Translation qf Boxalini (1626), p. 202. (Latham.) 
[< probate + -ive.] 
ing, inspection, examination, < probare, pp. 'l. Serving to test or prove 
ed: as, probe-pointed scissors; & probe-pointed 
bistoury. 
probe-scissors (prob'siz'prz), n. pi. Scissors 
used to open wounds, the blade of which, to ad- 
awl, used to pierce the brain in killing fish for 
the table. 
What portion of the probationitU uniting with the M. E. probity (prob'i-ti), n. [<~F. probite = Sp. probi- 
dad = Pg. /irobidadc = It. probita, < L. probi- 
A tax on 
portnulty for contest. 
probate-duty (pro'bat-du'ti), . 
property passing by will, 
probation (pro-ba'shon), ii. [< F. probation = 
Pr. prouso, proba tio = Sp. probation = Pg. pro- 
rayffo = It. probazione, < L. probatio(n-), a try- probative (pro'ba-tiv), a. 
proba tux, test, examine: see probate, probe, 
prove.] 1. The act of proving ; proof. 
And what he with his oath 
And all probation will make up full clear. 
Shak., M. for M., v. 1. 167. 
He that must eat an hour before his time gives proba- 
tion of his Intemperance or his weakness. 
Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), I. 35. 
2. Any proceeding designed to ascertain truth, 
character, qualifications, or the like; trial; ex- 
amination. 
Let us buy our entrance to this guild [friendship] by a 
long probation. Emenon, Friendship. 
Life is probation, and this earth no goal, 
But starting-point of man. 
Itrinminy, Ring and Book, II. 211. 
Specifically - (a) Kcdet., the trial of a candidate for church 
membership, holy orders, or other ecclesiastical position 
and functions, preparatory to his final admission thereto. 
(b) In theol., moral trial ; a state of life affording an oppor- 
tunity to test moral character. 
3. Any period of trial. Specifically (a) In religious 
houses, the period for the trial of a novice before he or 
she takes the vows of the monastic order. 
I, in probation of a sisterhood. 
Was sent to by my brother. 
Shak., M. forM.,v. 1. 72. 
She 
may be a nun without probation. 
Beau, and Ft., Philaster, II. 20. 
church determines whether he will unite with the chnri-h, 
anil the church decides whether he should be admitted 
t d ,^!fp e e, 
life, either (a) to all who die unregenermt*, or (6) 
Some are only probative, and designed to try and stir up 
those virtues which before lay dormant In the soul. 
South, Sermons, IV. Ix. 
2. Pertaining to proof or demonstration: as, 
the probative force of evidence. 
probator (pro-ba'tor), n. [< L. j 
iner, approver, < probare, test, examine 
see probate, prove.] 1. An examiner.- _,. 
late, one who turns king's (queen's) evidence ; 
an approver. 
probatory (pro'ba-to-ri), a. and n. [< ML. 
probatorius, adj.'(neut. probatorium, a house 
for novices), < L. probare, pp. probatus, test, ex- 
amine, prove: see probate.] 1. a. I. Serving 
for trial; being a proof or test. 
Job's afflictions were no vindicatory punishments, but 
probatory chastisements to make trial of his graces. 
Abp. BramhaU. 
2. Pertaining to or serving for proof. 
His other heap of arguments are ossertory, not probatory. 
. Jer. Taylor (I), Artif. Handsomeness, p. 126. 
n. .; pi. probatories (-riz). A house for 
novices. 
InthesameyeereChrlstlan,Blshopof Llsmore, . . . and 
Pope Eugenins, a venerable man. with whom he was in 
the Probatorie at (larevall, who also ordained him to be 
the Legate in Ireland, . . . departed to Christ, 
Upland, tr. of Camden, II. 151. (Dacict.) 
probatum est ( pro-bft'tum eat). [L.: prnbiituMi. 
nout. of pruhatHS, pp. of probare, tost, exam- 
ine; est, 3d pers. sing. pres. ind. of esst, be.] 
It has boon tried or proved: often appended to 
recipes or proscriptions. 
ta(t-)s, uprightness, honesty, < probus, good, ex- 
cellent, honest : see probe, prove.] Tried vir- 
tue or integrity; strict honesty; virtue; sin- 
cerity; high principle. 
So near approach we their celestial kind 
By justice, truth, and probity of mind. Pope. 
A minister (WaJpole) . . . who had seen so much per- 
fldy and meanness that he had become sceptical as to the 
existence of probity. Macavlay, Lord Holland. 
Let the reign of the good Stuyvesant show . . . how 
frankness, probity, and hlgh-souled courage will command 
respect, and secure honor, even where success is unat- 
tainable. Irving, Knickerbocker, p. 408. 
= Syn. Integrity, Uprightnetf, etc. (see honctty), worth, 
trustworthiness, trustiness, incorruptibility. 
posed for solution, < irpoj}a)Ativ, throw or lay 
before, < irp6, before, + ^dXXfiv, throw, put: see 
bait*, ballista, etc., and cf. emblem.] 1. A ques- 
tion proposed for decision or discussion ; a mat- 
ter for examination; any question involving 
doubt, uncertainty, or difficulty; also, a ques- 
tion with a discussion of it. 
Although In general one understood colours, yet were 
It not an easy problem to resolve why grass Is green. 
Sir T. Browne. 
The Conclusion Is the Problem (problemaX question 
(qUKstlo, qunsltlo), which was originally asked, stated now 
as a decision. The Problem Is usually omitted In the ex- 
pression of a syllogism, but is one of Its essential parts. 
.vir W. Hamilton, Logic, XT. 
Few researches can be conducted In any one line of In- 
quiry without sooner or later abutting on some metaphysi- 
cal problem, were It only that of Force, Matter, or Cause. 
(,'. //. Lemt, Probs. of Ufe and Mind, I. L I 8. 
Specifically 2. In yrom.,u proposition requir- 
ing some operation to be performedor construc- 
tion to lie executed, 88 to lii.-oct a lino, .-Hill till' 
like. It differs from a theorem In that the latter re 
quires something to be proved, a relation or identity (< ! 
'n or established. The Greek word is used in this 
by Pappus, in the third cen 
