Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Probable

Prob′a-ble

,
Adj.
[L.
probabilis
, fr.
probare
to try, approve, prove: cf. F.
probable
. See
Prove
, and cf.
Provable
.]
1.
Capable of being proved.
[Obs.]
2.
Having more evidence for than against; supported by evidence which inclines the mind to believe, but leaves some room for doubt; likely.
That is accounted
probable
which has better arguments producible for it than can be brought against it.
South.
I do not say that the principles of religion are merely
probable
; I have before asserted them to be morally certain.
Bp. Wilkins.
3.
Rendering probable; supporting, or giving ground for, belief, but not demonstrating;
as,
probable
evidence;
probable
presumption.
Blackstone.
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˝ is the probable error in a given case, the chances that the real error is greater than 3˝ 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.

Webster 1828 Edition


Probable

PROB'ABLE

,
Adj.
[L. probabilis, from probo, to prove. See Prove.]
1.
Likely; having more evidence than the contrary, or evidence which inclines the mind to belief, but leaves some room for doubt.
That is accounted probable, which has better arguments producible for it than can be brought against it.
I do not say that the principles of religion are merely probable; I have before asserted them to be morally certain.
2.
That renders something probable; as probable evidence, or probable presumption.
3.
That may be proved. [Not in use.]

Definition 2024


probable

probable

English

Adjective

probable (comparative more probable, superlative most probable)

  1. Likely or most likely to be true.
    It's probable that it will rain tomorrow.
    The probable source of the failure was the mass of feathers in the intake manifold.
  2. Likely to happen.
    With all the support we have, success is looking probable.
  3. Supporting, or giving ground for, belief, but not demonstrating.
    probable evidence; probable presumption
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Blackstone to this entry?)
  4. (obsolete) Capable of being proved.

Related terms

Antonyms

Translations

See also

Noun

probable (plural probables)

  1. Something that it likely to occur
  2. A person that is likely to appear or do a certain thing.

External links

  • probable in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • probable in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

Asturian

Etymology

From Latin probābilis.

Adjective

probable (epicene, plural probables)

  1. probable

Antonyms

Related terms

  • probabilidá

Catalan

Etymology

From Latin probābilis.

Pronunciation

  • Rhymes: -aβle

Adjective

probable m, f (masculine and feminine plural probables)

  1. probable

Antonyms

Derived terms

Related terms


French

Etymology

From Latin probābilis.

Pronunciation

Adjective

probable m, f (plural probables)

  1. probable (all meanings)

Related terms


Galician

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Latin probābilis.

Adjective

probable m, f (plural probables)

  1. probable

Antonyms

Derived terms

Related terms


Ido

Adverb

probable

  1. probably

Spanish

Etymology

From Latin probābilis.

Pronunciation

Adjective

probable m, f (plural probables)

  1. probable, likely
  2. provable

Antonyms

Derived terms

Related terms