Where does “probable” come from?
Probable comes from Middle English probable, from Old French probable, from Latin probabilis (approvable), derived from Latin probare (to assent to, approve), rooted in Latin probus (good, honest) and Proto-Indo-European per- and bʰuH-.
probable (English): Likely or most likely to be true; Likely to...
Definitions
- Likely or most likely to be true; Likely to...
Ancestry of “probable”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | probable | — |
| 2 | Old French | probable | — |
| 3 | Latin | probābilis | likely, credible, probable, plausible |
| 4 | Latin | probāre | — |
| 5 | Latin | probō | to approve, permit, commend |
| 6 | Latin | Probus | good, serviceable, excellent, superior, able |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | pro-bhwo- | being in front, prominent |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | pro- | toward, forward |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | por- | to give birth; forward, through; going, passage |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |