probation

Where does the word "probation" come from? It comes from Latin probare, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

Probation’s story begins in Latin: probare meant “to test, to prove.” The root of 'prove', 'probe' and 'probable'. Within Latin, it grew into probatio by ancient. A testing, an approval, from probare. It reached English by 1400s as probation. Settled as the English word for a trial period, or a period of supervised release. Today, probation means a trial period of testing, or a period of supervised release instead of imprisonment.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient probare "to test, to prove", the root of 'prove', 'probe' and 'probable'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient probatio "a testing, an approval", a testing, an approval, from probare.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s probation "a trial period, or a period of supervised release instead of prison", settled as the English word for a trial period, or a period of supervised release.