improbable

Forms

improbable (plural improbables)^[1]

Etymology

The modern word is formed from French im- + probable (1606).^[2][3][4][1] An earlier adjective of the same spelling, meaning “condemnable” (before 1475), was borrowed from Latin improbābilis (“not deserving approval”),^[2][3] the opposite of the base in its old sense “that can be approved”.^[5] Christian Latin already used the Latin word for “that cannot be proved”.^[2] The base adjective is from Latin probābilis, from probō (“to prove”).^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

G. Chastellain uses it before 1475, in his Chronique des ducs de Bourgogne, in the sense “condemnable, unworthy of approval”.^[2][5]

Semantic evolution

Matching probable, it then meant “that cannot be proved” (Crespin, 1606), a sense later lost to improuvable.^[2][5][6] From the 17th century it meant “lacking probability”, “implausible” (1611 in the DHLF, 1690 in Furetière according to the TLFi).^[5][2] The current sense, “unlikely to happen”, is first found in Maine de Biran's journal (1815).^[2][5]

Timeline

• before 1475 – G. Chastellain uses it for “condemnable”.^[2]
• 1606 – Crespin records it for “that cannot be proved”.^[2][6]
• 1610 – The derivative improbabilité appears.^[3][5]
• 1690 – Furetière gives it the sense “implausible”.^[2]
• 1815 – Maine de Biran uses it for “unlikely to happen”.^[2][5]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Unlikely, improbable: having little chance of happening: une victoire bien improbable.^[7][2][1]
2. (dated) Implausible, that cannot be proved.^[7][6]

Word family

• improbabilité

Related words

• probable
• improuvable
• Latin improbābilis

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
3. ^ a b c d Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
4. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d e f g Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert