probabilIst

[Eng. probabil (ism); -ist.] A supporter of the casuist doctrine of Probabilism. They are usually divided into (1) Probabilists pure and simple, who hold that a man may use his liberty if he has really probable grounds for thinking the law does not bind him, though the argument on the other side is the more probable. (2) Equiprobabilists, who hold that a man does wrong to use his liberty unle the probabilities are at least evenly balanced. prob-a-bil-1-ty, s. [Fr. probabilité, from prob able =probable (q. v.).] I. Ordinary Language : 1. The quality or state of being probable; that state of a case or question of fact which arises from superior evidence, or a preponderance of argument; likelihood. 2. That which is or appears probable; anything which has the appearance of probability or truth. (In this sense the word admits of a plural number.) "The existence of the city of Pekin, and the reality of Cæsar's a a ination, which the philosopher cla es with probabilities , because they rest solely upon the evidence of testimony."- Stewart : Human Mind vol. ii., ch. iv., §4. II. Math .: Likelihood of the occurrence of an event; the quotient obtained by dividing the number of favorable chances by the whole number of chances, both favorable and unfavorable. The word chance is here used to signify the occurrence of any event in a particular way, when there are two or more ways in which it may occur, and when there is no reason why it should happen in one way rather than in another. One of the most common and useful applications of the methods of probabilities is in computing the elements employed in the 3248 subject of annuities, reversions, a urances, and other interests, depending upon the probable duration of human life. prob-a-ble, a . & s . [Fr., from Lat. probabilis = that may be proved; probo =to prove (q. v.); Span. probable ; Ital. probabile .] A. As adjective : 1. Capable of being proved. "He who maintains traditions or opinions not probable by scripture."- Milton : Of Civil Power in Ecclesiastical Causes . 2. Having more evidence for than against; having evidence sufficient to incline the mind to belief, but leaving room for doubt; likely. "Philosophers are accustomed to speak of the event as only probable ."- Stewart : Of the Human Mind , vol. ii., ch. iv., § 4. 3. Rendering something probable; as, probable evidence. 4. Plausible, specious, colorable. *B. As subst .: That which is probable; a probable thing or circumstance. probable-cause, s. [PROBABILIS CAUSA.) probable-error, s. Astron. & Physics: When a great number of observations, each of which is liable to error, have been made for the purpose of determining any element, the element to be determined is also liable to error; the probable error is the quantity such that there is the same probability of the true error being greater or le than it. probable-evidence, s. Law: Evidence, distinguished from demonstrative evidence in this, that it admits of degrees, from the highest moral certainty to the very lowest presumption. prob-a-bly, adv. [Eng. probab ( le ); -ly:] In a probable manner or degree; in all likelihood or probability; likely. "To her father she had probably never been attached." -Macaulay : Hist . Eng ., ch. ix. *prō-ba-çỹ, s. [Lat. probatio =probation (q. v.).] Proof, trial. *prob-al, a. [Lat. probo = to prove.] Calculated to bias the judgment; satisfactory. "This advice is free I give and honest, Probal to thinking."- Shakesp .: Othello , ii. 3. *prō-bal-i-ty, s . [English probal ; -ity .] Probability. prō-băng, s . [PROBE.] Surg .: A slender whalebone rod with a piece of sponge on one end, for pushing down into the stomach bodies which may have lodged in the œsophagus. Larger and stronger forms are used in veterinary surgery.