probate

/ˈpɹəʊbeɪt/

Etymology

From Middle English probate, from Latin probatus, past participle of probare (“to test, examine, judge of”); see probe, prove.

noun

  1. The legal process of verifying the legality of a will.“The probate file reveals that Stephen Tetuan, attorney for the estate and author of McBride's will, wrote to Lemieux on Auust 29, 1984, encouraging him "to serve as trustee and to retain local counsel to represent your interests as trustee."”
  2. A copy of a legally recognised and qualified will.
  3. Proof.“Macrobius that did trete Of Scipions dreme what was the treu probate”

verb

  1. To establish the legality of (a will).