probable cause

Elliptical for “probable cause to suspect a crime has been committed”, where probable carries the sense “worthy of acceptance or belief”. Attested in legal contexts since the 17th century.

probable cause (countable and uncountable, plural probable causes)

1. (US, law, uncountable) Reasonable grounds for making an arrest or conducting a personal or property search.

   Synonym: pc (initialism)

2. (countable) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see probable,‎ cause.

   the probable cause of the accident

• burden of proof
• clear and convincing evidence
• preponderance of the evidence
• beyond a reasonable doubt

• “probable cause”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
• “probable cause”, in Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, 1999–present.
• “probable cause” in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman.