Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Probate \Pro"bate\, n. [From L. probatus, p. p. of probare to
   prove. See {Prove}.]
   1. Proof. [Obs.] --Skelton.

   2. (Law)
      (a) Official proof; especially, the proof before a
          competent officer or tribunal that an instrument
          offered, purporting to be the last will and testament
          of a person deceased, is indeed his lawful act; the
          copy of a will proved, under the seal of the Court of
          Probate, delivered to the executors with a certificate
          of its having been proved. --Bouvier. --Burrill.
      (b) The right or jurisdiction of proving wills.

Probate \Pro"bate\, v. t.
   To obtain the official approval of, as of an instrument
   purporting to be the last will and testament; as, the
   executor has probated the will.

Probate \Pro"bate\, a.
   Of or belonging to a probate, or court of probate; as, a
   probate record.

   {Probate Court}, or {Court of Probate}, a court for the
      probate of wills.

   {Probate duty}, a government tax on property passing by will.
      [Eng.]

Source : WordNet®

probate
     n 1: a judicial certificate saying that a will is genuine and
          conferring on the executors the power to administer the
          estate [syn: {probate will}]
     2: the act of proving that an instrument purporting to be a
        will was signed and executed in accord with legal
        requirements
     v 1: put a convicted person on probation by suspending his
          sentence
     2: establish the legal validity of (wills and other documents)