%probation%

n. [ L. comprobatio. ] 1. Joint attestation; proof. [ Obs. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Approbation. [ Obs. ] Foxe. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Pref. dis- + approbation: cf. F. désapprobation. Cf. Disapprove. ] The act of disapproving; mental condemnation of what is judged wrong, unsuitable, or inexpedient; feeling of censure. We have ever expressed the most unqualified disapprobation of all the steps. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. improbatio. ] 1. The act of disapproving; disapprobation. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Scots Law) The act by which falsehood and forgery are proved; an action brought for the purpose of having some instrument declared false or forged. Bell.

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 ]

n. [ F. réprobation, or L. reprobatio. ] 1. The act of reprobating; the state of being reprobated; strong disapproval or censure. [ 1913 Webster ]

The profligate pretenses upon which he was perpetually soliciting an increase of his disgraceful stipend are mentioned with becoming reprobation. Jeffrey. [ 1913 Webster ]

Set a brand of reprobation on clipped poetry and false coin. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Theol.) The predestination of a certain number of the human race as reprobates, or objects of condemnation and punishment. [ 1913 Webster ]