probation
[proh-bey-shuh n]
- the act of testing.
- the testing or trial of a person's conduct, character, qualifications, or the like.
- the state or period of such testing or trial.
- Law.
- a method of dealing with offenders, especially young persons guilty of minor crimes or first offenses, by allowing them to go at large under supervision of a probation officer.
- the state of having been conditionally released.
- Education. a trial period or condition of students in certain educational institutions who are being permitted to redeem failures, misconduct, etc.
- the testing or trial of a candidate for membership in a religious body or order, for holy orders, etc.
- Archaic. proof.
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Origin of probation
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
unsettledpreliminaryexploratoryunprovedempiricaltestballoontestingpilotactingconjecturalcontingentdependentiffyindefinitemakeshiftprovisionalspeculativetemporarytrialExamples from the Web for probationary
Contemporary Examples
The probationary status would be good for six years and could then be renewed after payment of another $500 penalty.
And give “probationary legal status” to the 11 million — not on the day the bill is signed but on the day the fence is completed.
Historical Examples
In 1756 there were 48 pastors at work, with 22 probationary preachers and students.
The Huguenots in FranceSamuel Smiles.
And with Mr. O'Donnell it would be probationary for the first fortnight or month.
The Celt and Saxon, CompleteGeorge Meredith
With adults this was regarded as a probationary agreement to marry.
The Captain of the JanizariesJames M. Ludlow
That in its probationary character lies its educative influence.
Browning and DogmaEthel M. Naish
Father Paul meantime had had his share in the probationary action.
probation
- a system of dealing with offenders by placing them under the supervision of a probation officer
- on probation
- under the supervision of a probation officer
- undergoing a test period
- a trial period, as for a teacher, religious novitiate, etc
- the act of proving or testing
- a period during which a new employee may have his employment terminated on the grounds of unsuitability
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for probationary
probation
n.
early 15c., "trial, experiment, test," from Old French probacion "proof, evidence" (14c., Modern French probation) and directly from Latin probationem (nominative probatio) "approval, assent; a proving, trial, inspection, examination," noun of action from past participle stem of probare "to test" (see prove). Meaning "testing of a person's conduct" (especially as a trial period for membership) is from early 15c.; theological sense first recorded 1520s; criminal justice sense is recorded by 1866. As a verb from 1640s. Related: Probationer; probationary.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper