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.

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.

We do not call for evidence till antecedent probabilities fail.

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.

I do not say that the principles of religion are merely probable; I have before asserted them to be morally certain.

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.

Probably
(Prob"a*bly) adv. In a probable manner; in likelihood.

Distinguish between what may possibly and what will probably be done.

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.