probation

pro·ba·tion   (prō-bā'shən)    n.   A process or period in which a person's fitness, as for work or membership in a social group, is tested. Law The act of suspending the sentence of a person convicted of a criminal offense and granting that person provisional freedom on the promise of good behavior. A discharge for a person from commitment as an insane person on condition of continued sanity and of being recommitted upon the reappearance of insanity. A trial period in which a student is given time to try to redeem failing grades or bad conduct. The status of a person on probation. [Middle English probacion, a testing, from Old French probation, from Latin probātiō, probātiōn-, from probātus, past participle of probāre, to test; see prove.] pro·ba'tion·al adj., pro·ba'tion·al·ly adv., pro·ba'tion·ar'y adj.

probation 

Main Entry: pro·ba·tion
Pronunciation: prO-'bA-sh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French, critical examination and evaluation, from Latin probation- probatio, from probare to test, approve, prove
1 a : subjection to a period of evaluation and possible termination at the commencement of employment in a position for which one's fitness is to be determined b : subjection to a period of review in the course of employment or education as a result of a violation of standards and with the possibility of dismissal if standards are not met
2 a : the suspension of all or part of a sentence and its replacement by freedom subject to specific conditions and the supervision of a probation officer probation shall be a matter of grace conferring no vested right to its continuance —Michigan Statutes Annotated> —compare DIVERSION, PAROLE b : probation as a sentence in itself c : the period or state of being subject to probation probation> —pro·ba·tion·al /-sh&-n&l/ adjective —pro·ba·tion·al·ly adverb —pro·ba·tion·ary /-sh&-"ner-E/ adjective