pro·bate (prō'bāt')
n.

1. The process of legally establishing the validity of a will before a judicial authority.
2. Judicial certification of the validity of a will.
3. An authenticated copy of a will so certified.

tr.v., -bat·ed, -bat·ing, -bates.
To establish the validity of (a will) by probate.

adj.
Of or relating to probate or to a probate court: probate law; a probate judge.

[Middle English probat, from Latin probātum, neuter past participle of probāre, to prove. See prove.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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