ˈprōbəd.iv, -räb- adjective
Etymology: Middle English probatiffe, from Latin probativus of proof, from probatus (past participle of probare to try, test, approve, prove) + -ivus -ive — more at prove
1. : serving to try out or test : exploratory
a blind forward movement … probative but incisive — J.K.Feibleman
2. : that furnishes, establishes, or contributes toward proof : substantiating
has considerable probative force — B.N.Meltzer
reasonably probative evidence — W.W.Werntz
little or no probative value — Nathan Schachner
• proba·tive·ly adverb
• proba·tive·ness noun -es