probe

[ prohb ]

/ proʊb /

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.

Nearby words

probationary assistant, probationer, probative, probatively, probatory, probe, probe syringe, probenecid, probie, probiosis, probiotic

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

SYNONYMS FOR probe

1 investigate, scrutinize.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR probe ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for prober

It was a painful business, but nothing to be compared to the pain produced by the "prober."
"Contemptible"|"Casualty"
"We've had a couple of prober rockets shot into its surface," said Russ, as they watched the oncoming planet.
The Secret of the Ninth Planet|Donald Allen Wollheim
Tom contacted the government craft and learned that as yet no sign of the lost Jupiter prober had been detected.
Tom Swift and the Electronic Hydrolung|Victor Appleton
But Mary-in-the-glass, that sentimental young woman, was no prober of emotions.
Once Aboard The Lugger|Arthur Stuart-Menteth Hutchinson

We must not seek in Goldoni a prober of the human heart, not even a fearless satirist of social conditions.
Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 16|Various

British Dictionary definitions for prober

probe

/ (prəʊb) /

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 for probe

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 prober (1 of 2)

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.

Word Origin and History for prober (1 of 2)

probe

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.

Medicine definitions for prober

probe

[ prōb ]

n.

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.

v.

To explore a wound or body cavity with a probe.

probe

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

verb (used without object), probed, prob·ing.

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of probe

Examples from the Web for prober

British Dictionary definitions for prober

probe

verb

noun

Word Origin for probe

Word Origin and History for prober (1 of 2)

probe

Word Origin and History for prober (1 of 2)

probe

Medicine definitions for prober

probe

n.

v.