probe

[prohb]

See more synonyms for probe on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), probed, prob·ing.

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, prob·ing.

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.
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 of probe

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 formsprobe·a·ble, adjectiveprob·er, nounre·probe, verb, re·probed, re·prob·ing.un·probed, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

1. investigate, scrutinize.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for probe

Contemporary Examples

However, the probe stayed in contact with the Rosetta orbiter and has already sent back some photos.
Earthlings, We Landed on a Comet
Matthew R. Francis
November 12, 2014
Then finally, the probe had to be released at the right moment and on the right course to land at that spot.
Earthlings, We Landed on a Comet
Matthew R. Francis
November 12, 2014
The probe appears to be sitting at the bottom of a "cliff" on the comet, but beyond that it's hard to tell.
Earthlings, We Landed on a Comet
Matthew R. Francis
November 12, 2014
UPDATE: Since publication yesterday, the Philae team learned that the probe bounced two times and apparently landed on its side.
Earthlings, We Landed on a Comet
Matthew R. Francis
November 12, 2014
Earthlings, we can celebrate the accomplishment of landing a probe on a new world.
Earthlings, We Landed on a Comet
Matthew R. Francis
November 12, 2014

Historical Examples

In addition to this motive he felt an inclination to probe the matter to its utmost depths.
Thoroughbreds
W. A. Fraser
What patient shall be afraid of a probe in so delicate a hand?
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
Probe it with a fork, and do not take it up till it is tender throughout.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches
Eliza Leslie
It is a grave affair of state and one that it is best not to probe into.
City of Endless Night
Milo Hastings
But where have you been, for the probe must have been over for some time?
The First Violin
Jessie Fothergill

British Dictionary definitions for probe

probe

verb

(tr) 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 Formsprobeable, adjectiveprober, noun

Word Origin

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for probe

n.

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.

v.

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)

A slender, flexible surgical instrument with a blunt bulbous tip, used to explore a wound or body cavity.
A substance, such as DNA, that is radioactively labeled or otherwise marked and used to detect or identify another substance in a sample.

To explore a wound or body cavity with a probe.

probe

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Synonyms

Related Words

Examples from the Web for probe

Contemporary Examples

However, the probe stayed in contact with the Rosetta orbiter and has already sent back some photos.

Then finally, the probe had to be released at the right moment and on the right course to land at that spot.

The probe appears to be sitting at the bottom of a "cliff" on the comet, but beyond that it's hard to tell.

UPDATE: Since publication yesterday, the Philae team learned that the probe bounced two times and apparently landed on its side.

Earthlings, we can celebrate the accomplishment of landing a probe on a new world.

Historical Examples

In addition to this motive he felt an inclination to probe the matter to its utmost depths.

What patient shall be afraid of a probe in so delicate a hand?

Probe it with a fork, and do not take it up till it is tender throughout.

It is a grave affair of state and one that it is best not to probe into.

But where have you been, for the probe must have been over for some time?

probe

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for probe

n.

v.

probe

Origin of probe