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″ 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.