probo

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈprɔ.boː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈprɔː.bo]^[1]

Forms

probō (present infinitive probāre, perfect active probāvī, supine probātum); first conjugation^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin probus (“good, upright”) + -ō.^[2][3] The adjective is inherited from Proto-Italic *pro-f(w)-o- (“favourable”), inherited from Proto-Indo-European *pro-bʰ(h₂)u-o-, from Proto-Indo-European *pro- (“forward”) and Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH- (“to be, grow”).^[3][1] The TLL suggests that the verb may come rather from an exclamation probē (est)! “it is right”.^[4] Oscan prúfatted (“approved”) is used in the same way.^[4][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

De Vaan dates it from Naevius,^[3] who uses it of what he proved by applause in the theatre.^[2] Köbler dates Naevius c. 235–200 BC.^[5]

Semantic evolution

Its first sense was to regard as good or right, approve or commend, and to think well of a person.^[2] Officials used it of passing a piece of work after inspection, and it meant to authorise or sanction.^[2] It also meant to test or examine with a view to approval, to win approval for something, and to show to be true, to prove.^[2] Lewis and Short note that the sense “to test” is rare in Classical Latin but very common in Church Latin.^[6]

It survives in Italian provare, French prouver and Spanish probar; English prove comes through Old French, and English probe from medieval Latin proba “examination”.^[1][7]

Timeline

• c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses it of proving by applause.^[2][5]
• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of approving a house.^[2][5]
• c. 1200 – English prove “to try by experience” is recorded.^[7]
• early 15th century – English probe, a surgeon's rod, is recorded.^[7]

Meanings

Verb

1. To approve of, commend.^[2]
2. To think well of, esteem (a person).^[2]
3. To pass officially after inspection, certify.^[2]
4. To authorise, sanction.^[2]
5. To test, examine, try.^[2][6]
6. To win approval for.^[2]
7. To show to be true, demonstrate, prove.^[2]

Word family

• approbō
• comprobō
• improbātus
• improbō
• proba
• probābilis
• probamentum
• probātiō
• probātīuus
• probātor
• probatoria
• reprobō

Related words

• probus
• English prove
• English probe
• English approve
• English proof

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
4. ^ a b Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
5. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com