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Probability - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Probability : (noun)
1: a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur;
"what is the probability of rain?"; "we have a good
chance of winning" [syn: chance]
2: the quality of being probable [ant: improbability]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Probability : \Prob`a*bil"i*ty\, n.; pl. Probabilities. [L.
probabilitas: cf. F. probabilit['e].]
1. The quality or state of being probable; appearance of
reality or truth; reasonable ground of presumption;
likelihood.
Probability is the appearance of the agreement or
disagreement of two ideas, by the intervention of
proofs whose connection is not constant, but appears
for the most part to be so. --Locke.
2. That which is or appears probable; anything that has the
appearance of reality or truth.
The whole life of man is a perpetual comparison of
evidence and balancing of probabilities.
--Buckminster.
We do not call for evidence till antecedent
probabilities fail. --J. H.
Newman.
3. (Math.) Likelihood of the occurrence of any event in the
doctrine of chances, or the ratio of the number of
favorable chances to the whole number of chances,
favorable and unfavorable. See 1st Chance, n., 5.
Syn: Likeliness; credibleness; likelihood; chance.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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PROBABILITY. That which is likely to happen; that which is most consonant to
reason; for example, there is a strongProbability : that a man of a good
moral character, and who has heretofore been remarkable for truth, will,
when examined as a witness under oath, tell the truth; and, on the contrary,
that a man who has been guilty of perjury, will not, under the same
circumstances, tell the truth; the former will, therefore, be entitled to
credit, while the latter will not.
Based on Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [Bouvier_Law_Dictionary]:
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Probability : Probability: The likelihood that something will happen. For example, a probability of less than .05 indicates that the probability of something occurring by chance alone is less than 5 in
100, or 5 percent. This level of probability is usually taken as the level of biologic significance, so a higher incidence may be considered meaningful. The abbreviation for probability is P.
Based on Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [Bouvier_Law_Dictionary]:
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Example Usage of Probability |
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Caleb_Mezzy: RT @Phanatical: I have an inkling Brittany Murphy's death was eating disorder related. Cardiac arrest is a Probability&she was AWFULLY s ... |
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Phanatical: I have an inkling Brittany Murphy's death was eating disorder related. Cardiac arrest is a Probability&she was AWFULLY skinny. Poor thing! |
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wetterberg: RT @max4live: RT @Zealtv: random & Probability based sequencing plus MIDI video sync in #maxforlive! http://bit.ly/5I31jn |
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