Probation
/proʊˈbeɪʃən/noun
A period of testing or supervision, especially before permanent status is granted.
Did you know?The word comes from Latin probationem, tied to probare, meaning “to prove” or “test,” so its oldest sense is less punishment and more a formal act of verification.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pro-bhwo- / *pro-bhā-
“to test, try, prove”
Latin
Latin
probare
“to test, prove, approve; to establish as good”
Late Latin
Latin
probatio
“a proving, examination, trial”
Old French
Old French
probacion
“proof, test, examination”
Middle English
English
probacioun
“proof, trial, testing”
Modern English
English
probation
“a period of testing or supervision, especially before permanent status is granted”
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