probationn.
/prəˈbeɪʃn/, U.S. /proʊˈbeɪʃ(ə)n/ I. The examination or testing of a person or thing.† 1.
a. The action or process of putting something to the test; trial, experiment; investigation, examination. Obsolete (but cf. specific senses at 2). †in probation (quot. c1422): in experience, in fact. †by probation: by testing, by experience.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > [noun]
fandingc1000
taste1377
experimenta1382
experience1393
probationc1422
trial1526
test1594
verification1603
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > [noun]
inspection1390
search1415
probationc1422
ensearchingc1430
surview1432
enserchise1436
overseeingc1449
sight1452
hearkeninga1483
discuting1483
ensearcha1509
inquiry1512
upsightc1515
perusing1556
perpending1558
overlooking1565
interview1567
trial1575
peruse1578
visitation1583
perspective?a1586
overviewing1590
looking over1599
sounding1599
perusal1604
supervise1604
disquisition1605
expiscation1605
prospect1625
ravellinga1626
disquiry1628
disquisitive1660
perpendment1667
inspecting1788
sleuthing1900
casing1928
the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > trial, test, or testing > [noun]
fandingc1000
costningOE
assay1330
say?c1335
assayingc1375
experimenta1382
proofc1390
experience1393
tastinga1400
probationc1422
probe?a1425
approof1436
fraistingc1440
examination?1510
saying1512
approving1523
trial1526
test1594
approbationa1616
trya1616
proval1622
tempting1623
probatea1643
experimental1659
testinga1834
c1422 T. Hoccleve Dialogus (Durh.) l. 735 in Minor Poems (1970) i. 136 Thogh holy writ witnesse and testifie Men sholde of hem [sc. wives] han dominacioun, It is the reuers in probacioun.
a1450 (c1412) T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum (Harl. 4866) (1897) 376 (MED) I þanke it god, non inclinacioun Haue I to labour in probacioun Of his hy knowleche & his myghty werkys.
a1500 (?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (Harl. 7333) (1879) 66 What is þe depnesse of the See?.. If I were a ston, I shuld discende to þe grounde of þe see, & telle you the soth by probacion.
1559 J. Feckenham in J. Strype Ann. Reformation (1709) App. ix. 24 Towchinge the second rule..of..probation, whether of bothe these religions is the better.
1607–8 T. Bodley Let. to Bacon 19 Feb. in Tercent. Bodl. (1913) 158–9 To disclaime all our Axiomes, and maximes, and generall assertions that are left by tradition from our Elders to vs, which..haue passed all probations of the sharpest witts that euer were.
1682 J. Bunyan Holy War 306 Thy lying flatteries we have had and made sufficient probation of. View more context for this quotation
1736 D. Neal Hist. Puritans III. 495 It was published by way of probation, that they might learn the sense of the nation.
1865 J. B. Mozley 8 Lect. Miracles viii. 181 We see a broad distinction, arising..from..the character of the witnesses, the probation of the testimony.
b. Surgery. Examination with or as with a probe; an instance of this. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > diagnosis or prognosis > examination > [noun] > by physical means > with a probe
probation?a1425
sounding1598
?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 86 To þis [sc. finding a fistula] helpeþ probacionz [?c1425 Paris prouynges; L. probationes] with tentez & probez.
1617 J. Woodall Surgions Mate 26 The Probe..there is much abuse of this instrument often, by making probation (as the phrase is).
1676 J. Cooke Mellificium Chirurg. (ed. 3) 446 Probation, made either by Hand, Instrument or both.
1702 J. Moyle Chirurgus Marinus (ed. 4) viii. 90 Make probation with your long Probe.
1741 D. Turner Art Surg. (ed. 6) I. 485 Without making any Probation of these very sensible nervous Parts, by which no Advantage could accrue to the Patient.
c. A school or university examination; the examination of students. Obsolete.Recorded earliest in probation day n. at Compounds 1.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > educational administration > examination > [noun]
examination1421
examen1612
probation1645
trial1672
exam1837
mug1853
special1890
mid-year1895
periodical1897
test1910
assessment1956
1645 J. Caryl Expos. Job (1676) I. 637 We call it Probation day, when the proficiency of Schollars is examined.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Probation,..the Tryal of a Student, who is about to take his Degrees in an University.
1766 J. Entick Surv. London in New Hist. London IV. 157 There is an order appointed for the probation of the school.
1778 T. Jefferson Bill for more General Diffusion of Knowledge §18 A visitation shall be held, for the purpose of probation, annually at the said grammar school on the last Monday in September.
1895 I. K. Funk et al. Standard Dict. Eng. Lang. II. Probation... Specifically: (1) In universities, examination of a student for degrees.
d. Trial by ordeal. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > trying or hearing of cause > [noun] > trial > trial by ordeal
ordealOE
ordeal triallOE
ordalium1577
judgement of God1672
probation1684
1684 I. Mather Ess. for Recording Illustrious Providences viii. 281 Mr. Perkins is so far from approving of this probation by cold water, as that he rather inclines to think that the persons who put it in practice are themselves after a sort practisers of Witch-craft.
1693 I. Mather Cases Conscience 55 The Vulgar Probation by casting into the Water practiced upon persons accused with other Crimes as well as that of Witchcraft.
2. The testing of the character, conduct, or abilities of a person; a proceeding designed to ascertain these, esp. a period or state of trial.
a. Theology. Moral trial or discipline; the testing (by God or some other divine agent) of a person's character and principles, esp. in this life as a basis for the allocation of rewards and punishments in a future life; trial by adversity. future probation: see future adj. 1e.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > aspects of faith > spirituality > salvation, redemption > [noun] > testing for
probationc1460
c1460 (a1449) J. Lydgate Fabula Duorum Mercatorum (Harl.) 630 in Minor Poems (1934) ii. 507 (MED) This marchaunt..sayde: ‘Lord, thouh I haue had a fal, Ne put me nat fro thy proteccioun, Sith I it take for my probacioun.’
a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 86 If þi consolacion lacke, þi wille & iuste probacion [L. probatio] be to me as a souereyn solace.
a1513 J. Irland Meroure of Wyssdome (1926) I. 52 Temptacioune is probacioune and experiens of the persoune and of his wertu.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Bvv To saue them in their probacion in desert.
1547 A. Borde Breuiary of Helthe i. f. xlvi Yf aduersytie do come it is either sent to punyshe man for synne or els probacion.
a1677 I. Barrow Of Contentm. (1685) iv. 133 This life is a state of probation and exercise, like to that..of God's people in the wilderness.
1704 R. Nelson Compan. Festivals & Fasts i. ii. 256 At the end of the World. When the State of our Trial and Probation shall be finisht, 'twill be a proper Season for the distribution of publick Justice.
1745 E. Haywood Female Spectator II. xi. 316 We should not be Men but Angels, and enjoy the beatific Vision before our Time of Probation was expired.
a1805 W. Paley Serm. (1810) xxxiii. 491 Of the various views under which human life has been considered, no one seems so reasonable as that which regards it as a state of probation.
1887 Presbyterian Banner (U.S.) Oct. The leader..is not merely off on the subject of future probation, but also with regard to the Lord's day.
1908 N.E.D. at Probation sb. Future probation, a..moral trial after death, which some believe will be granted to those who have not accepted, or have not had the offer of, the Gospel in this life, or to those who depart this life insufficiently purified.
a1911 D. G. Phillips Susan Lenox (1917) I. xxi. 378 Well, anyhow, I believe it's all a probation, and everything'll be made right hereafter.
1930 A. E. Taylor Faith of Moralist ix. 422 We clearly may have to reconsider the worth of a once familiar conception which is now very much out of general favour, the conception of our earthly life as one of probation.
1991 H. A. Buetow Relig. in Personal Developm. xi. 371 A conviction about the existence of another world has led some people to reduce the value of current human life, others to view it as a state of probation.
b. The process of observing or testing a candidate for membership in a religious body, order, or society, or of assessing the character and abilities of a person who is new to a position, job, or role, esp. for a fixed period. Also: the period in which this takes place. Now frequently in on probation: on trial (for a job or role). Cf. probationer n. 1, 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > trial, test, or testing > [noun] > trial or probation of a person > trial or testing of candidate for office
probation?a1475
society > faith > worship > sacrament > order > monastic profession > [noun] > novice > period of being
novicery1440
noviceship1532
probation1597
novitiate1602
novitiateship1666
probationship1822
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1872) IV. 327 (MED) The..Essei..usede allemoste..a life monasticalle..not takenge eny man to theire secte withowte probacion [a1387 J. Trevisa tr. assaie; L. probatione] by the space of a yere.
1532 R. Whitford Pype or Tonne f. xxi Euery persone that wolde make profession..shulde..haue a yere of probacion.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lxviii. 186 They first set no time howe long this supposed probation must continue.
1622 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Phylaster (new ed.) ii. 21 She that hath snow enough about her heart,..May be a Nunne without probation.
1676 M. Hale Contempl. Moral & Divine: 2nd Pt. 97 Such [boys] as are undisciplineable, are after some years of probation sent away to Mechanical Imployments.
1726 J. Barker Lining of Patch-work Screen 38 It happened, that one of these Gentlemen, during the time of his Probation, cast an amorous Eye on this Lady.
1760 C. Lennox Lady's Museum No. 2. 116 The ten first years were a kind of noviciate or probation.
1833 C. R. Williams Fall River viii. 155 To receive again a woman upon probation, who had once been expelled upon such a charge.
1872 O. Shipley Gloss. Eccl. Terms at Monks They were subjected to a probation, but did not take solemn vows.
1890 Peel City Guardian 12 July 6/1 The calling up of constables on probation.
1910 Catholic Encycl. VII. 642/2 A few points, however, in which Ignatius's institute differed from the older orders may be mentioned here. They are:..the vow not to accept ecclesiastical dignities;..increased probations.
1935 T. S. Sprigg Royal Air Force xii. 91 Accepted candidates who have not had previous experience in the Air Force are entered in the Special Reserve with the rank of Pilot Officer on probation.
1983 D. Cecil Portrait of Lamb I. iii. 34 Clerks were only paid a proper salary after the first three years of probation.
2005 P. D. James Lighthouse i. x. 72 After the first two months his appointment had been confirmed, but he felt himself to be still on probation.
c. In extended use. A trial or trial period, esp. for the redemption or correction of previous errors.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > trial, test, or testing > [noun] > trial or probation of a person
temptationc1384
probation1616
ordeala1658
1616 in E. F. Rimbault Old Cheque-bk. Chapel Royal (1872) 8 For a yeare of probacion of his manners and good behavior.
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison V. xlii. 262 The creature..who would have lived with you on terms of probation.
1860 G. J. Whyte-Melville Holmby House (new ed.) 287 Are they places of probation, of reward, of punishment?
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems xxviii. 5 Enough of empty masters, Frost and famine, a lingering probation.
1986 C. Trillin Outdoor Life in New Yorker 11 Aug. 64/3 What the Mormons call disfellowship, a sort of probation that is based on a period of repentance and rehabilitation.
2002 Independent (Nexis) 30 Jan. 9 After a second finding of serious professional misconduct..he was ordered to improve his clinical and communication skills and, in effect, put on probation for 12 months.
d. North American. A limited period of time granted to a student in which to improve conduct or academic performance (failure to do so typically resulting in exclusion). Usually in on probation.
ΚΠ
1883 Reg. Harvard College in Crimson (Harvard Univ.) (Electronic ed.) 17 Nov. While on probation he is not permitted to compete for any prizes or honors... If, after a reasonable period of trial, his conduct is still unsatisfactory, his probation may be closed, and his connection with the College shall then cease.
1897 C. M. Flandrau Harvard Episodes 235 The next day the Office put Billy ‘on probation’.
1931 W. Faulkner Sanctuary vii. 65 He had gotten drunk again since we left Taylor and I'm on probation and Daddy would just die.
1940 Univ. Washington Catal. 1940–41 66 The college concerned is to decide when a student on probation, because of continued low scholarship, shall be dropped from the college.
1983 W. N. Rowe Clapp's Rock iv. 55 A rule in the university calendar which required a student on probation to pass every subject in the examinations next following his being placed on probation.
2005 D. P. Gardner Earning my Degree ii. 40 The Chancellor..directed that the students involved in the sit-in be placed on suspended suspensions at once (i.e., on probation, to be suspended only if they violated university regulations).
3. In criminal jurisdiction.
a. Australian. = probation system n. (a) at Compounds 3. Also: the serving of a sentence under this system. Now historical.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > [noun] > probation
probation1840
probation1878
1840 True Colonist (Hobart) 24 Jan. 4/2 Under the new system..they must work out their advanced probation in the Government gangs, and when they become free, they will be turned loose upon society.
1852 J. Bonwick Notes of Gold Digger 162 The old Assignment system of convictism was changed for that of Probation in 1840.
1865 J. F. Mortlock Experiences of Convict 84 My first three years of ‘probation’ in Australia being at an end, I received a pass making me eligible for employment upon my own account.
1962 D. Pike Austral. v. 84 Van Diemen's Land got more convicts but no gain, for the penal system was changed. Probation replaced assigned service.
2005 Jrnl. Austral. Stud. No. 84. 153 Probation aimed to impose a more systematic and uniform policy of penal discipline because, by the late 1830s, the ‘lottery’ of assignment had become anathema to penal thought.
b. Law. Originally U.S. A system of suspending the sentence on an offender or releasing an offender from detention, subject to a period of good behaviour under the supervision of a person appointed for the purpose. Chiefly in on (also under) probation: undergoing supervision under this system.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > [noun] > probation
probation1840
probation1878
society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > [adverb] > on probation
on (also under) probation1878
1878 Mass. Acts & Resolves cxcviii. 147 The mayor of the city of Boston shall appoint, annually..a suitable person..to recommend..the placing on probation of such persons as may reasonably be expected to be reformed without punishment.
1907 Let. of Secr. N.Y. State Probation Commission 7 Oct. [Since the year 1878] in Massachusetts, and now in most of the commonwealths of the United States, persons found guilty of crimes (usually of the rank of misdemeanors..) have instead of being sent to a penal institution, been placed on probation... The term of probation varies from a few weeks to over a year. Probation officers are either salaried by public authorities or serve as volunteers so far as their official status is concerned... The term ordinarily employed in this country is ‘to place on’ or ‘under probation’, ‘to put on’ or ‘under probation’.
1928 Daily Tel. 11 May 7 [He] described the cases..as border-line cases, and bound them over under probation for two years.
1969 F. Finlay Boy in Blue Jeans xix. 218 I'm amazed to hear you got probation.
1971 R. Cross Punishment, Prison & Public i. 20 Probation is essentially the suspension of punishment conditional on there being no further offence for a period during which the offender is placed under personal supervision.
1986 J. Batten Judges ii. 98 He sentenced Elia to serve seven days in jail, put him on probation for three years, directed him to perform three hundred hours of community service, and ordered him to pay restitution.
2003 J. Darling Taxi Driver's Daughter (2004) 11 I expect she'll get put on probation, or somethin' like that, and mebbes pay some sort of fine.
II. The proving or demonstrating of something.
4. † a. The action of proving, or showing to be true; proof, demonstration; an instance of this, a proof, a demonstration. In later use Scottish. Obsolete.† c. The proving of a will; = probate n. 2a. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > proof, demonstration > [noun]
provinga1325
verifymenta1325
comprobation1390
proofc1390
demonstrationc1391
approbation1393
monstrancea1400
probatea1400
probation?a1450
document1459
demonstrance1481
remonstration1490
verification?1541
eviction1571
remonstrance1583
conviction1646
convincement1656
approof1881
?a1450 in H. Sandison Chanson d'Aventure in Middle Eng. (1913) 123 (MED) Trust not the ontrustye..Hys promysse ys not sure..Whome schall I acuse, ther-of to make probacyoun?
?a1475 (?a1425) in tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1882) VIII. App. 468 The seide man..faylenge in the probacion of his accusacion, was..hongede.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 266 The curious probatioun logicall.
1558 J. Knox First Blast against Monstruous Regiment Women f. 36v In probation wherof, because the mater is more then euident, I will vse fewe wordes.
1597 M. Drayton Englands Heroicall Epist. f. 55 v Poore plodding schoolemen, they are farre too low, Which by probations, rules, and axioms goe.
1676 G. Towerson Explic. Decalogue 35 I will not..attempt the probation of it.
1762 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy V. xlii. 140 Four years at his probations and his negations.
1852 W. Hamilton Discuss. Philos. & Lit. 308 [Translating Thiersch] The cogency of strict probation.
1889 R. L. Stevenson Master of Ballantrae x. 275 It was clear, even to probation, the pamphlets had some share in this revolution.
b. Something that proves or demonstrates; that which constitutes the ground of proof; proof, demonstrative evidence; (in later use chiefly Scots Law) the presentation or hearing of evidence in court. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > [noun] > evidence given, testimony
witnessc950
proof?c1225
witnessingc1330
evidencea1387
probacyc1460
probation?a1475
testimonial?a1475
testimony?a1475
testimonage1483
testamentc1485
conjecture1526
fact?1531
trial1532
teste1567
suffragy1571
attest1609
probate1610
testa1616
testate1619
discovery1622
constat1623
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 367 An argumente and a probacion of this thynge [a1387 J. Trevisa tr. For to preue þat þis is sooþ] dothe appere in that the fischer..may see..vnder the waters hye towres.
a1530 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfeccyon (1531) iii. f. Clxxxxix That is a great probacyon of the trewth therof.
a1600 ( W. Stewart tr. H. Boece Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) III. 392 The quhilk wedding wes lauchfull probatioun Of his barnis legitimatioun.
1678 G. Mackenzie Laws & Customes Scotl. ii. 511 Probation is defined to be, that whereby the Judge is convinced of what is asserted.
1709 W. Steuart Collections i. xii. §5 To proceed to lead probation by witnesses or presumptions.
1753 W. Miller in Scots Mag. May 235/2 His..confession would be no probation of his having committed the crime.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian xi, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. II. 277 Presumptive evidence in place of a probation.
1909 W. Wallace Practice Sheriff Ct. 167 At the closing of the record the future procedure in the action is determined. If the parties renounce probation they sign a minute to that effect.
1946 A. D. Gibb Students' Gloss. Sc. Legal Terms 23 Conjunct probation or proof. The process of disproving by evidence an opponent's averments, carried on as part of the process of proving a party's own case.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > transfer of property > testamentary disposition > [noun] > official proving of will
probatec1439
probation1529
1529 Act 21 Hen. VIII c. 5 Dyvers ordynaries take for the probacion of testamentes..sometyme .xl.s. Passim.
1571 in J. Raine Wills & Inventories N. Counties Eng. (1835) I. 353 I require..James Cole to trauell with my said doughter about the probacion of this my will.
1584 Copie of Let. conc. Erle of Leycester 155 No publike Notarie: no Probation of the wil before anye Bishop, or anie lawful Court for that purpose.
1590 H. Swinburne Briefe Treat. Test. & Willes vi. f. 224 Formes of prouing testaments..which are referred to that kinde of probation which is called publicatio testamenti.
1700 H. Consett Pract. Spiritual Courts (ed. 2) vi. 304 The Executor is called to shew Cause, why the Probation of this Will..may not be revoked and declared as null, and invalid.
1842 Hobart v. Conn. Turnpike Co. in Connecticut Rep. (1844) 15 147 Though an executor receives his power by the will of the testator..the validity of his acts in that capacity depend wholly on the probation of the will of the prerogative court.
Compounds
C1. attributive with sense ‘of or relating to a trial, examination, or probation, that is a probation’ (in senses 1 and 2).† probation day n. Obsolete† probation dish n. Obsolete† probation sermon n. Obsolete† probation-space n. Obsolete† probation-state n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1645 J. Caryl Expos. Job (1676) I. 637 We call it Probation day, when the proficiency of Schollars is examined.
1794 Misc. Poems & Hymns 10 Refine them, Lord, and cast the dross, Of sin, of inbred sin away, Nor let them suffer other loss, In all their long probation-day.
1888 Dict. National Biogr. at Felton, Nicholas His being appointed to compile the statutes for Merchant Taylors' School in reference to the annual probation days.
ΚΠ
1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes 4th Int. 60 in Wks. II Let Master Doctor dissect him, haue him open'd, and his tripes translated to Lickfinger, to make a probation dish of.
ΚΠ
a1654 A. Ross Πανσεβεια (1655) xii. 392 The sons of the Prophets were destinated for the Ministry, and therefore were by probation sermons to give testimony of their gifts.
1662 S. Pepys Diary 4 May (1970) III. 77 The church being full..to hear a Doctor who is to preach a probacion Sermon.
1734 J. Mottley Stow's Surv. London & Westm. I. xiv. 209/2 The Place of one of the Fellows, viz. that of the Chaplain, is at this Time vacant, two or three Probation Sermons have been already preached for it, and they will proceed to an Election in a few Days.
1886 Times 15 Nov. 10/3 It reminded him of a story of a clergyman of the English Church who was preaching his probation sermon.
ΚΠ
1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz in La Saisiaz: Two Poets of Croisic 39 Assuming earth to be a pupil's place, And life, time,—with all their chances, changes,—just probation-space.
ΚΠ
a1683 B. Whichcote Several Disc. (1701) I. 276 As also put Men in Mind, upon all Occasions, that this is a Probation State, and that Men are here to be Fitted and Qualified for the State of Glory and Immortality.
1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. i. v. 79 The Consideration of our being in a Probation-state.
1858 J. R. McDuff Words of Jesus 116 The tented tabernacle suited to their present probation-state exchanged for the enduring ‘mansion’!
C2. (In sense 3.)
probation class n.
ΚΠ
1863 Times 9 Jan. 8 Why does Sir Joshua not secure Faraday and Owen as lecturers to the pupils of these penal collegiate institutions?..Could not the ‘probation’ class at Pentonville be allowed cabs to go to the lectures at the Royal Institution?
1899 Westm. Gaz. 31 Oct. 8/3 All prisoners..remain there three months, but if they show docile spirit at the end of that time they are transferred into the probation class.
1998 Calgary (Alberta) Herald (Nexis) 20 Aug. 2 The school board sent suicidal kids and probation classes to me.
probation commission n.
ΚΠ
1906 Times 20 June 17/3 In each first and second class city an unpaid probation commission shall be established.
1907 Let. of Secr. N.Y. State Probation Commission 7 Oct. The State of New York has recently established a ‘Probation Commission’.
2004 Los Angeles Times (Nexis) 24 June b4 ‘These kids have made bad choices and have paid for them, but this kind of academic competition shows them that they are college material,’ said..a member of the probation commission.
probation law n.
ΚΠ
1893 New Eng. Mag. Mar. 32/1 With the care that is paid to the treatment of juveniles in this State and the application of probation law, we should not find a boy ten years of age thrown in with adult criminals.
1951 Statesville (N. Carolina) Daily Record 24 May 3/7 Mobley is on probation from a two-year sentence for larceny—and probation laws forbid his leaving the state.
2004 Tampa (Florida) Tribune (Nexis) 19 Feb. 10 The system is not wholly to blame. The killer is. That's not to say probation laws shouldn't be scrutinized.
probation labour n.
ΚΠ
1847 Launceston Examiner 12 May 302/4 There was no comparison between probation labour and that under the assignment system.
2003 San Antonio (Texas) Express-News (Nexis) 26 Mar. h1 Probation labor, primarily by gang members, played a large role in the revitalization of Milam Park.
C3. † probation weed n. Obsolete a garment suitable or worn for (a) probation.
probation hostel n. originally British a hostel providing supervised accommodation for offenders released into the community on probation, parole, etc.; cf. bail hostel n. at bail n.1 Additions.
ΚΠ
1931 Manch. Guardian 17 Sept. 11/1 Charles Rowland Morton, aged 20, who had been living at the Parkfield Probation Hostel, Crumpsall, was sent to prison for six months.
1969 Brit. Jrnl. Criminol. 9 70 A statistically significant large number of borstal girls were living in a probation hostel at the time of their offence.
2016 Bolton News (Nexis) 19 Oct. Sheri Torkington, aged 36, is wanted on recall to prison after failing to return to her probation hostel.
probation officer n. a person appointed to supervise offenders who are on probation.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > [noun] > probation > one who supervises probation
probation officer1880
1880 Massachusetts Acts & Resolves cxxix. 87 The aldermen of any city, except the city of Boston..may establish the office of probation officer.
1897 Resol. Comm. Howard Assoc. June Either an industrial discipline in special institutions, or, better still, a system of conditional liberty under the supervision of probation officers.
1907 Westm. Gaz. 21 Mar. 2/3 In America the probation-officer, who makes every possible inquiry into the circumstances of the offence and advises the judge, has long been an institution.
1962 Lancet 15 Dec. 1278/1 My work as a probation officer among recidivist alcoholics in Pentonville Prison.
2004 H. Kennedy Just Law (2005) xiv. 291 Probation officers..are the very people who can oversee good community sentencing, take on the aftercare when people come out of prison and help people gain skills to join the workforce.
probation order n. a court order committing an offender to a period of probation (since 2003 known as a Community Rehabilitation Order).
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society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > judging > [noun] > judgement or decision of court > decision in writing or court order > for dealing with offenders
probation order1873
supervision order1938
community service order1971
1873 W. H. Thomes Bushrangers xxxvi. 243 I'll join you in obtaining his pardon, or, at least, a probation order.
1921 E. Ruggles-Brise Eng. Prison Syst. ix. 109 The extent to which Probation Orders are applied varies to a great extent in different parts of the country.
1998 Applied Statistics 47 163 The first three were random samples of..those given probation orders with probation centre or specified activity requirements.
probation report n. a probation officer's report on an accused person submitted to a court before sentence is passed; (also) a report submitted by a probation officer during a convicted person's period of probation.
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society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > evidence > [noun] > social inquiry report
probation report1892
social inquiry report1965
1892 Fitchburg (Mass.) Daily Sentinel 3 May 6/2 (heading) Probation report for April.
1910 Social Evil in N.Y. City (Committee of Fourteen) p. xxviii There is..little probationary oversight, and probation reports are perfunctory.
1973 ‘J. Patrick’ Glasgow Gang Observed iv. 39 The probation report offered this summary of Dick at the age of fourteen.
1994 Jrnl. Human Resources 29 64 Post-conviction data are from monthly probation reports.
probation service n. a service responsible for the supervision of offenders on probation and the care of accused persons and discharged prisoners.
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society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > [noun] > probation > associated services
probation service1900
1900 North Adams (Mass.) Evening Transcript 21 June The bill to enlarge and improve the probation service was..amended by Mr. Innes of Suffolk so that probation officers ‘may’ instead of ‘shall’ keep a record of all those put on probation.
1901 Publ. Amer. Statist. Assoc. June 23 The probation service..has grown from a tentative private enterprise into a firmly established and indispensable part of the judicial machinery.
1957 Encycl. Brit. VI. 719/2 [An] investigation by the probation service and a report to the trial judge must be made.
1990 P. Melville Shape-shifter (1991) 42 Years later, dressed to the nines, Winsome sat in the shabby offices of the Probation Service in Southwark.
probation station n. Australian now historical an establishment for the accommodation of prisoners labouring on public works as part of their probation.
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1842 Tasmanian Jrnl. 1 283 Complete probation station is governed by a superintendent, three assistant-superintendents, a competent number of overseers (all free men) a surgeon, a catechist, and a military detachment.
1861 L. A. Meredith Over Straits 7 At Maria Island, the rocky hills, and other so-called ‘probation-stations’..the prisoners were used in tens and twenties, attached to ploughs, harrows, and light carts.
1999 Waikato Times (Hamilton, N.Z.) (Nexis) 22 Mar. 9 A guided tour of historic buildings at former probation station Colebrook.
probation system n. (a) Australian a system for the management and rehabilitation of convicts, introduced in Tasmania (then Van Diemen's Land) in 1839, under which an offender passed through stages, as imprisonment, public labour, etc., to a pardon (now historical); (b) = sense 3b.
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1840 True Colonist (Hobart) 24 Jan. 4/1 The Colony is already beginning to feel the effects of the new ‘probation system’.
1906 Rep. Reformatory & Industr. Schools 15 in Parl. Papers Cd. 3170 LIII. 637 There is much discussion at present of the advantages of a probation system and of probation officers. Infinite good will undoubtedly be achieved by an effective probation system.
1988 Hist. Educ. Q. 28 121 Pressure for re-organizing and bringing the probation system under central state control was building up.
2002 F. G. Clarke Hist. Austral. iv. 51 A new probation system was introduced that was designed to ensure equality of punishment by gathering all convicts into a number of probation stations where they worked for the government in gangs.
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a1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Knight of Malta v. i, in Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Mmmmm2v/1 I must or deliver in..my probation weed, Or take the Cloake.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
probationv.
/prəˈbeɪʃn/, U.S. /proʊˈbeɪʃ(ə)n/ Chiefly U.S. rare.
transitive. To place (a person) on probation (probation n. 3b).
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society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > imprison [verb (transitive)] > place on probation
probation1900
probate1910
1900 Washington Post 22 Dec. 1/2 Judge Bond probationed Marion Rogan, who had blinded for life Dr. Frank L. Taylor.
1937 Lorain (Mansfield, Ohio) Jrnl. 7 Apr. 9/6 He was probationed for two years..with recommendation of..Lorain police.
1990 Chron.-Telegram (Elyria, Ohio) 22 Sept. b5/2 They're caught, sentenced, or probationed accordingly.
2002 Leicester Mercury (Nexis) 27 July 22 The project..targets all the people who are probationed who commit the most burglaries, and it gives them access to a range of things that will help them to stop burgling.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.c1422
v.1900