Probable

Probable
Probable Prob"a*ble, a. [L. probabilis, fr. probare to try, approve, prove: cf. F. probable. See {Prove}, and cf. {Provable}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Capable of being proved. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

2. Having more evidence for than against; supported by evidence which inclines the mind to believe, but leaves some room for doubt; likely. [1913 Webster]

That is accounted probable which has better arguments producible for it than can be brought against it. --South. [1913 Webster]

I do not say that the principles of religion are merely probable; I have before asserted them to be morally certain. --Bp. Wilkins. [1913 Webster]

3. Rendering probable; supporting, or giving ground for, belief, but not demonstrating; as, probable evidence; probable presumption. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster]

{Probable cause} (Law), a reasonable ground of presumption that a charge is, or my be, well founded.

{Probable error} (of an observation, or of the mean of a number), that within which, taken positively and negatively, there is an even chance that the real error shall lie. Thus, if 3[sec] is the probable error in a given case, the chances that the real error is greater than 3[sec] are equal to the chances that it is less. The probable error is computed from the observations made, and is used to express their degree of accuracy.

{The probable}, that which is within the bounds of probability; that which is not unnatural or preternatural; -- opposed to the marvelous. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • probable — [ prɔbabl ] adj. • 1380; proubable « qu on peut prouver » 1285; lat. probabilis, de probare I ♦ 1 ♦ Vx Relig. Opinion probable : opinion fondée sur des raisons sérieuses quoique non décisives. ⇒ probabilisme (1o). 2 ♦ Mod. Qui, sans être… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • probable — probable, possible, likely are comparable when they mean not now certain but such as may be, or may become, true, real, or actual. Something probable has so much evidence in its support or seems so reasonable that it commends itself to the mind… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • probable — Probable. adj. de tout genre. Qui a apparence de verité, qui paroist fondé en raison. Il n est pas probable que vous luy eussiez fait une promesse, s il vous eust dû de l argent. je ne voy rien de si probable que cela. cette opinion là est… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • probable — I adjective apparent, apt, believable, conceivable, conjecturable, credible, feasible, foreseeable, full of promise, indubitable, liable, likely, logical, ostensible, plausible, possible, practicable, presumable, presumptive, promising,… …   Law dictionary

  • probable — (adj.) late 14c., from O.Fr. probable (14c.), from L. probabilis provable, from probare to try, to test (see PROVE (Cf. prove)). Probable cause as a legal term is attested from 1670s …   Etymology dictionary

  • probable — [präb′ə bəl] adj. [ME < MFr < L probabilis < probare, to prove: see PROBE] 1. likely to occur or be; that can reasonably but not certainly be expected [the probable winner] 2. reasonably so, as on the basis of evidence, but not proved… …   English World dictionary

  • probable — [adj] likely to happen apparent, believable, credible, earthly, feasible, illusory, in the cards*, mortal, most likely, odds on*, ostensible, plausible, possible, presumable, presumed, rational, reasonable, seeming; concept 552 Ant. improbable,… …   New thesaurus

  • probable — (Del lat. probabĭlis). 1. adj. Verosímil, o que se funda en razón prudente. 2. Que se puede probar. 3. Dicho de una cosa: Que hay buenas razones para creer que se verificará o sucederá …   Diccionario de la lengua española

  • probable — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ likely to happen or be the case. ► NOUN ▪ a person likely to become or do something. ORIGIN Latin probabilis, from probare to test, demonstrate …   English terms dictionary

  • probable — (pro ba bl ) adj. 1°   Qui a une apparence de vérité. Il n est pas probable qu il ait dit cela. •   Toute question n est pas susceptible de démonstration ; mais il faut examiner ce qui est le plus probable, non pas pour le croire fermement, mais… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

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