| probabilist | 1. One who maintains that certainty is impossible, and that probability alone is to govern our faith and actions. 2. One who maintains that a man may do that which has a probability of being right, or which is inculcated by teachers of authority, although other opinions may seem to him still more probable. Origin: Cf. F. Probabilists. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| probability | Origin: L. Probabilitas: cf. F. Probabilite. 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. <mathematics> 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. Synonym: Likeliness, credibleness, likelihood, chance. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| probability curve | A graph of the gaussian (normal) distribution representing relative probabilities. (05 Mar 2000) |
| probability learning | Usually refers to the use of mathematical models in the prediction of learning to perform tasks based on the theory of probability applied to responses; it may also refer to the frequency of occurrence of the responses observed in the particular study. (12 Dec 1998) |
| probability sample | Each individual in the sample has a known, generally equal, chance of being selected. (05 Mar 2000) |
| probability theory | The branch of mathematics dealing with the purely logical properties of probability. Its theorems underlie most statistical methods. (12 Dec 1998) |
| probably | In a probable manner; in likelihood. "Distinguish between what may possibly and what will probably be done." (L'Estrange) Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| probacteriophage | The stage of a temperate bacteriophage in which the genome is incorporated in the genetic apparatus of the bacterial host. Synonym: prophage. (05 Mar 2000) |
| proband | The family member through whom a family medically comes to light. The proband might for example be a baby with down syndrome. The proband may also be called the index case, propositus (if male) or proposita (if female). (12 Dec 1998) |
| probe | <molecular biology> General term for a piece of DNA or RNA corresponding to a gene or sequence of interest, that has been labelled either radioactively or with some other detectable molecule, such as biotin, digoxygenin or fluorescein. As stretches of DNA or RNA with complementary sequences will (hybridise), a probe will label viral plaques, bacterial colonies or bands on a gel that contain the gene of interest. See: Northern blots, Southern blots. (18 Nov 1997) |
| probe patency | (of foramen ovale), a term introduced by B.M. Patten to cover incomplete fibrous adhesion of an adequate valvula foraminis ovalis in the postnatal closure of the foramen ovale. (05 Mar 2000) |
| probe syringe | A syringe with an olive-shaped tip, used in treatment of diseases of the lacrimal passages. (05 Mar 2000) |
| probe-pointed | <surgery> Having a blunt or button-shaped extremity; said of cutting instruments. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| probeagle | <zoology> See Porbeagle. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| probenecid | <chemical> The prototypical uricosuric agent. It inhibits the renal excretion of organic anions and reduces tubular reabsorption of urate. Probenecid has also been used to treat patients with renal impairment, and, because it reduces the renal tubular excretion of other drugs, has been used as an adjunct to antibacterial therapy. Pharmacological action: renal agents, uricosuric agents. Chemical name: Benzoic acid, 4-((dipropylamino)sulfonyl)- (12 Dec 1998) |