Probability to Procellarian
Probability
(Prob`a*bil"i*ty), n.; pl. Probabilities [L. probabilitas: cf. F. probabilité.]
1. The quality or state of being probable; appearance of reality or truth; reasonable ground of presumption; likelihood.
Probability is the appearance of the agreement or disagreement of two ideas, by the intervention of
proofs whose connection is not constant, but appears for the most part to be so.
Locke. 2. That which is or appears probable; anything that has the appearance of reality or truth.
The whole life of man is a perpetual comparison of evidence and balancing of probabilities.
Buckminster.
We do not call for evidence till antecedent probabilities fail.
J. H. Newman. 3. (Math.) Likelihood of the occurrence of any event in the doctrine of chances, or the ratio of the number
of favorable chances to the whole number of chances, favorable and unfavorable. See 1st Chance, n.,
5.
Syn. — Likeliness; credibleness; likelihood; chance.
Probable
(Prob"a*ble) a. [L. probabilis, fr. probare to try, approve, prove: cf. F. probable. See Prove,
and cf. Provable.]
1. Capable of being proved. [Obs.]
2. Having more evidence for than against; supported by evidence which inclines the mind to believe, but
leaves some room for doubt; likely.
That is accounted probable which has better arguments producible for it than can be brought against it.
South.
I do not say that the principles of religion are merely probable; I have before asserted them to be morally
certain.
Bp. Wilkins.
3. Rendering probable; supporting, or giving ground for, belief, but not demonstrating; as, probable evidence;
probable presumption. Blackstone.
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&Prime is the probable
error in a given case, the chances that the real error is greater than 3&Prime 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.
Probably
(Prob"a*bly) adv. In a probable manner; in likelihood.
Distinguish between what may possibly and what will probably be done.
L'Estrange. Probacy
(Pro"ba*cy) n. [See Probate.] Proof; trial. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Probal
(Pro"bal) a. Approved; probable. [Obs.] Shak.
Probality
(Pro*bal"i*ty) n. Probability. [Obs.] "With as great probality." Holland.
Probang
(Pro"bang) n. [See Probe.] A slender elastic rod, as of whalebone, with a sponge on the
end, for removing obstructions from the esophagus, etc.
