Probation

4 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Probation \Pro*ba"tion\, 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]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  probation
       n 1: a trial period during which your character and abilities are
            tested to see whether you are suitable for work or for
            membership
       2: a trial period during which an offender has time to redeem
          himself or herself
       3: (law) a way of dealing with offenders without imprisoning
          them; a defendant found guilty of a crime is released by
          the court without imprisonment subject to conditions
          imposed by the court; "probation is part of the sentencing
          process"

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  25 Moby Thesaurus words for "probation":
     acid test, assay, blank determination, brouillon, criterion,
     crucial test, crucible, determination, docimasy, essay,
     feeling out, first draft, kiteflying, ordeal, proof, rough draft,
     rough sketch, sounding out, standard, test, test case, touchstone,
     trial, try, verification
  
  

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  PROBATION. The evidence which proves a thing. It is either by record, 
  writing, the party's own oath, or the testimony of witnesses. Proof. (q.v.) 
  It also signifies the time of a novitiate; a trial.  Nov. 5.