proberen

Forms

proberen^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle Dutch proberen (“to prove”), borrowed from Latin probō (“to test, approve, prove”), with the verb ending -eren.^[2][1][3][4] The Latin verb is a derivative of probus (“tested, good, sound”), literally “being in front”, formed with prō- (“in front”) and ⟨-bus⟩, which probably belongs to the root Proto-Indo-European *bʰeuh₂- (“to be”), the root of zijn.^[2] From “to prove” the sense “to try to prove” and then “to try” could develop.^[2] The same Latin verb had come into Dutch earlier through French, as proeven.^[2][1] Middle Dutch also had the form ⟨probieren⟩, as Middle High German and Middle Low German had probieren.^[2][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

The Philippa dictionary dates the first record to about 1440, in the sense “to prove”: Dat ic corte mach proberen, “which I can soon prove”; the Middle Dutch dictionary has Dat ic mit reden wil probieren “which I will prove with reasons” from a Holland text it dates to 1430.^[2][5][6] By 1469 the verb also meant “to examine, test”, as when balsam probiert ende proeft “examines and tests”.^[2]

Semantic evolution

The Teuthonista of 1477 has the noun probyering “examination”.^[2] In the 16th century gold and silver were gheprobeert in the fire (1557), and in 1584 a council decided to test a woman accused of witchcraft by water.^[7] The old sense “to prove” was still used in 1557, but is now obsolete, as is geprobeerd “tried and found good”.^[7]

From about 1700 the verb meant “to try out”: eenen knecht aannemen op 't probeeren was to take on a servant on trial (1727).^[2][7] The sense “to attempt”, followed by te and an infinitive, is first recorded in 1724–1726 and is now the usual one.^[8][7][9]

The word went to Negerhollands as probeer, Berbice Dutch as prubere and Sranan Tongo as proberi (older proba), from which Saramaccan has pooba;^[10][1] Afrikaans has probeer.^[10][1]

Timeline

• 1430 – Probieren “to prove” appears in a Holland text.^[5]
• c. 1440 – Proberen “to prove” is recorded.^[2][6]
• 1469 – The sense “to examine, test” appears.^[2]
• 1477 – The Teuthonista has probyering “examination”.^[2]
• 1557 – Gold and silver are gheprobeert in the fire.^[7]
• 1724–1726 – The sense “to attempt” is first recorded.^[8]
• 1727 – Op 't probeeren “on trial” is recorded.^[2][7]

Meanings

Verb

1. To try out, test, to make a trial of: Probeer deze schoenen eens. Het met iemand proberen is to give someone a trial.^[9][11][7]
2. To try, attempt, to do one's best to achieve something, often with te and an infinitive: Ze probeerde de trein nog te halen.^[9][1][11]

Word family

• probeersel

Related words

• proeven
• proef
• probaat
• German probieren

Usage notes

Probeer het eens! can be a challenge, “just you dare!”.^[9]

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Philippa, Marlies; Debrabandere, Frans; Quak, Arend; Schoonheim, Tanneke; Sijs, Nicoline van der (2003–2009), Etymologisch woordenboek van het Nederlands, 4 vols., Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press; online via etymologiebank.nl
3. ^ Vries, Jan de (1971), Nederlands etymologisch woordenboek, Leiden: Brill
4. ^ Algemeen Nederlands Woordenboek (2009–), Instituut voor de Nederlandse Taal, Leiden; anw.ivdnt.org
5. ^ a b c Verwijs, Eelco; Verdam, Jacob (1885–1929), Middelnederlandsch woordenboek, 11 vols., 's-Gravenhage: Nijhoff; gtb.ivdnt.org
6. ^ a b Veen, P. A. F. van; Sijs, Nicoline van der (1997), Etymologisch woordenboek: de herkomst van onze woorden, 2nd ed., Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Lexicografie
7. ^ a b c d e f g Vries, Matthias de; Winkel, L. A. te, et al. (1882–1998), Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal, 29 vols., 's-Gravenhage / Leiden: Nijhoff / Sijthoff / SDU; supplement 2001; gtb.ivdnt.org
8. ^ a b Sijs, Nicoline van der (2001), Chronologisch woordenboek: de ouderdom en herkomst van onze woorden en betekenissen, Amsterdam / Antwerpen: Veen
9. ^ a b c d Van Dale Groot woordenboek hedendaags Nederlands (2014), Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Uitgevers
10. ^ a b Sijs, Nicoline van der (2010), Nederlandse woorden wereldwijd, Den Haag: Sdu; with additions from the Uitleenwoordenbank (2015)
11. ^ a b WikiWoordenboek (Dutch Wiktionary), nl.wiktionary.org