probe

[prohb] /proʊb/

verb (used with object), probed, probing.

to search into or examine thoroughly; question closely:

to probe one's conscience.

to examine or explore with a probe.

verb (used without object), probed, probing.

to examine or explore with or as if with a probe.

noun

the act of probing.

a slender surgical instrument for exploring the depth or direction of a wound, sinus, or the like.

an investigation, especially by a legislative committee, of suspected illegal activity.

Aerospace. space probe.

a projecting, pipelike device on a receiving aircraft used to make connection with and receive fuel from a tanker aircraft during refueling in flight.

a device, attached by cord to an oven, that can be inserted into roasts or other food so that the oven shuts off when the desired internal temperature of the food is reached.

10.

Biology. any identifiable substance that is used to detect, isolate, or identify another substance, as a labeled strand of DNA that hybridizes with its complementary RNA or a monoclonal antibody that combines with a specific protein.

Origin

1555-65; (noun) < Medieval Latin proba examination, Late Latin: test, derivative of probāre (see prove); (v.) partly derivative of the noun, partly < Latin probāre. See proof

Related forms

probeable, adjective

prober, noun

reprobe, verb, reprobed, reprobing.

unprobed, adjective

Synonyms

1. investigate, scrutinize.

Examples from the web for probe

In an age of classroom multitasking, scholars probe the nature of learning and memory.
The company continues to cooperate with the probe, he said.
At least seven new books this year probe the mysteries of the afterlife, including heaven and accounts of near-death experiences.
The agency had closed the probe in 2006 without taking action.
Munro's later stories probe the tectonics of human earthquakes.
They will eat innumerable meals with strangers who probe them for weaknesses and quirks.
The narrative unfolds through a series of often thorny conversations, as the sisters probe these and other points of contention.
They should not be expected to probe for deeper meaning.
Scientists probe hurricane's landfall transformation.
The surgeon arrived at the same time, and was about to probe the wound; but Meg resisted the assistance of either.

British Dictionary definitions for probe

probe

/prəʊb/

verb

(transitive) to search into or question closely

to examine (something) with or as if with a probe

noun

something that probes, examines, or tests

(surgery) a slender and usually flexible instrument for exploring a wound, sinus, etc

a thorough inquiry, such as one by a newspaper into corrupt practices

(electronics) a lead connecting to or containing a measuring or monitoring circuit used for testing

(electronics) a conductor inserted into a waveguide or cavity resonator to provide coupling to an external circuit

any of various devices that provide a coupling link, esp a flexible tube extended from an aircraft to link it with another so that it can refuel

See space probe

Derived Forms

probeable, adjective
prober, noun

Word Origin

C16: from Medieval Latin proba investigation, from Latin probāre to test

Word Origin and History for probe

early 15c., "instrument for exploring wounds, etc.," also "an examination," from Medieval Latin proba "examination," in Late Latin "a test, proof," from Latin probare (see prove). Meaning "act of probing" is 1890, from the verb; figurative sense of "penetrating investigation" is from 1903. Meaning "small, unmanned exploratory craft" is attested from 1953.

1640s, originally figurative; "to search thoroughly, interrogate;" from probe (n.) and partly from Latin probare. Literal sense of "to examine with a probe" is from 1680s. Related: Probed; probing; probingly.

probe in Medicine

probe (prōb)
n.
A slender flexible surgical instrument with a blunt bulbous tip, used to explore a wound or body cavity. v. probed, prob·ing, probes
To explore a wound or body cavity with a probe.

probe in Technology

An object-oriented logic language based on ObjVlisp.
["Proposition d'une Extension Objet Minimale pour Prolog", Actes du Sem Prog en Logique, Tregastel (May 1987), pp. 483-506].