probationary

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   subject to a trial period before a position, status, or arrangement becomes permanent

   The probationary assistant would be reviewed after six months in the post.

Formed from probation + -ary. Probation comes through Old French and Latin probatio ("testing, approval"), from probare ("to test or prove"). The adjective therefore describes a period in which a person's suitability is still being tested.

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