Probatory term (Law), a time for taking testimony.
Probe (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Probed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Probing.]
[L. probare to try, examine. See Prove.]
1. To examine, as a wound, an ulcer, or some cavity of the body, with a
probe.
2. Fig.: to search to the bottom; to scrutinize or examine thoroughly.
Dryden.
The growing disposition to probe the legality of all acts, of the
crown.
Hallam.
Probe, n. (Surg.) An instrument for examining the depth or other
circumstances of a wound, ulcer, or cavity, or the direction of a
sinus, of for exploring for bullets, for stones in the bladder, etc.
Parr.
Probe, or Probe-pointed, scissors (Surg.), scissors used to open
wounds, the blade of which, to be thrust into the orifice, has a button
at the end. Wiseman.
Pro"bea`gle (?), n. (Zoˆl.) See Porbeagle.
Probe"-point`ed (?), a. (Surg.) Having a blunt or button-shaped
extremity; -- said of cutting instruments.
Prob"i*ty (?), n. [F. probitÈ, fr. L. probitas, fr. probus good,
proper, honest. Cf. Prove.] Tried virtue or integrity; approved moral
excellence; honesty; rectitude; uprightness. "Probity of mind." Pope.
Syn. -- Probity, Integrity. Probity denotes unimpeachable honesty and
virtue, shown especially by the performance of those obligations,
called imperfect, which the laws of the state do not reach, and can not
enforce. Integrity denotes a whole-hearted honesty, and especially that
which excludes all injustice that might favor one's self. It has a
peculiar reference to uprightness in mutual dealings, transfer of
property, and the execution of trusts for others.
Prob"lem (?), n. [F. problËme, L. problema, fr. Gr. &?; anything thrown
forward, a question proposed for solution, fr. &?; to throw or lay
before; &?; before, forward + &?; to throw. Cf. Parable. ]
1. A question proposed for solution; a matter stated for examination or
proof; hence, a matter difficult of solution or settlement; a doubtful
case; a question involving doubt. Bacon.
2. (Math.) Anything which is required to be done; as, in geometry, to
bisect a line, to draw a perpendicular; or, in algebra, to find an
unknown quantity.
Problem differs from theorem in this, that a problem is something to be
done, as to bisect a triangle, to describe a circle, etc.; a theorem is
something to be proved, as that all the angles of a triangle are equal
to two right angles.
Plane problem (Geom.), a problem that can be solved by the use of the
rule and compass. -- Solid problem (Geom.), a problem requiring in its
geometric solution the use of a conic section or higher curve.
{ Prob`lem*at"ic (?), Prob`lem*at"ic*al (?), } a. [L. problematicus,
Gr. &?;: cf. F. problÈmatique.] Having the nature of a problem; not
shown in fact; questionable; uncertain; unsettled; doubtful. --
Prob`lem*at"ic*al*ly, adv.
Diligent inquiries into remote and problematical guilt leave a gate
wide open to . . . informers.
Swift.
Prob"lem*a*tist (?), n. One who proposes problems. [R.] Evelyn.
Prob"lem*a*tize (?), v. t. To propose problems. [R.] "Hear him
problematize." B. Jonson.
Pro*bos"ci*date (?), a. [See Proboscis.] (Zoˆl.) Having a proboscis;
proboscidial.
||Pro`bos*cid"e*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Proboscis.] (Zoˆl.) An order of
||large mammals including the elephants and mastodons.
Pro`bos*cid"e*an (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Proboscidian.
Pro`bos*cid"i*al (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Proboscidate.
Pro`bos*cid"i*an (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Pertaining to the Proboscidea. -- n.
One of the Proboscidea.
||Pro*bos`ci*dif"e*ra (?), n. pl. [NL. See Proboscis, and -ferous.]
1. (Zoˆl.) An extensive division of pectinibranchiate gastropods,
including those that have a long retractile proboscis, with the mouth
at the end, as the cones, whelks, tritons, and cowries. See Illust. of
Gastropoda, and of Winkle.
2. (Zoˆl.) A subdivision of the tÊnioglossate gastropods, including the
fig-shells (Pyrula), the helmet shells (Cassis), the tritons, and
allied genera.
Pro`bos*cid"i*form (?), a. Having the form or uses of a proboscis; as,
a proboscidiform mouth.
Pro*bos"cis (?), n.; pl. Proboscides (#). [L. fr. Gr. &?;; &?; before +
&?; to feed, graze.] 1. (Zoˆl.) A hollow organ or tube attached to the
head, or connected with the mouth, of various animals, and generally
used in taking food or drink; a snout; a trunk.
The proboscis of an elephant is a flexible muscular elongation of the
nose. The proboscis of insects is usually a chitinous tube formed by
the modified maxillÊ, or by the labium. See Illusts. of Hemiptera and
Lepidoptera.
2. (Zoˆl.) By extension, applied to various tubelike mouth organs of
the lower animals that can be everted or protruded.
The proboscis of annelids and of mollusks is usually a portion of the
pharynx that can be everted or protruded. That of nemerteans is a
special long internal organ, not connected with the mouth, and not used
in feeding, but capable of being protruded from a pore in the head. See
Illust. in Appendix.