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