Prŏb'a-ble1, a.
a. [Fr. & Sp. probable, It. probabile, Lat. probabilis, from probare, to try, approve, prove.]
Sense 1. Capable of being proved; provable. [Obs.]
Sense 2. Having more evidence for than against; supported by evidence which inclines the mind to belief, 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. Wilkins.
Sense 3. Rendering probable; supporting or giving ground for belief, but not demonstrating; as, probable evidence, or probable presumption. Blackstone.
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 are even that the real error is not greater, or is less, than this quantity. — Probable evidence, as distinguished from that which is demonstrative, every kind of evidence not included under the strictly deductive; all evidence of facts or real truth, as contrasted with that which pertains to hypothetical premises or data. — The probable (Rhet. & Criticism), that which is within the limits of probability or possibility; that which is not unnatural or preternatural. See MARVELOUS.