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n. 1. A process or period in which a person's fitness, as for work or membership in a social group, is tested. 2. Law a. A criminal sentence consisting of a term of imprisonment that is suspended provided certain terms and conditions are met. b. The status of serving such a criminal sentence. 3. Release of a person from commitment for insanity, subject to reversal in the event of a relapse into insanity. 4. A trial period in which a student is given time to try to redeem failing grades or bad conduct. [Middle English probacion, a testing, from Old French probation, from Latin probātiō, probātiōn-, from probātus, past participle of probāre, to test; see PROVE.] pro·bation·al adj. pro·bation·al·ly adv. pro·bation·ar′y adj. |
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