Etymologically
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probo

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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

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