n. [ From L. probatus, p. p. of probare to prove. See Prove. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Proof. [ Obs. ] Skelton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) (a) Official proof; especially, the proof before a competent officer or tribunal that an instrument offered, purporting to be the last will and testament of a person deceased, is indeed his lawful act; the copy of a will proved, under the seal of the Court of Probate, delivered to the executors with a certificate of its having been proved. Bouvier. Burrill. (b) The right or jurisdiction of proving wills. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or belonging to a probate, or court of probate; as, a probate record. [ 1913 Webster ]

Probate Court, or
Court of Probate, a court for the probate of wills. --
Probate duty, a government tax on property passing by will. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To obtain the official approval of, as of an instrument purporting to be the last will and testament; as, the executor has probated the will. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. probatio, fr. probare to try, examine, prove: cf. F. probation. See Prove. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The act of proving; also, that which proves anything; proof. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

When by miracle God dispensed great gifts to the laity, . . . he gave probation that he intended that all should prophesy and preach. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any proceeding designed to ascertain truth, to determine character, qualification, etc.; examination; trial; as, to engage a person on probation. Hence, specifically: (a) The novitiate which a person must pass in a convent, to probe his or her virtue and ability to bear the severities of the rule. (b) The trial of a ministerial candidate's qualifications prior to his ordination, or to his settlement as a pastor. (c) Moral trial; the state of man in the present life, in which he has the opportunity of proving his character, and becoming qualified for a happier state. [ 1913 Webster ]

No [ view of human life ] seems so reasonable as that which regards it as a state of probation. Paley. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Probationary. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to probation; serving for trial. [ 1913 Webster ]

To consider this life . . . as a probationary state. Paley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. One who is undergoing probation; one who is on trial; a novice. [ 1913 Webster ]

While yet a young probationer,
And candidate of heaven. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A student in divinity, who, having received certificates of good morals and qualifications from his university, is admitted to several trials by a presbytery, and, on acquitting himself well, is licensed to preach. [ Scot. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being a probationer; novitiate. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A state of probation. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. probativus: cf. F. probatif. ] Serving for trial or proof; probationary; as, probative judgments; probative evidence. South. [ 1913 Webster ]