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probe

Syllabification: (probe)
Pronunciation: /prōb/
Translate probe | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of probe

noun

  • a blunt-ended surgical instrument used for exploring a wound or part of the body.
  • a small device, especially an electrode, used for measuring, testing, or obtaining information.
  • a projecting device for engaging in a drogue, either on an aircraft for use in inflight refueling or on a spacecraft for use in docking with another craft.
  • (also space probe) an unmanned exploratory spacecraft designed to transmit information about its environment.
  • an investigation into a crime or other matter:a probe into the maritime industry by the FBI

verb

[with object]
  • physically explore or examine (something) with the hands or an instrument:researchers probing the digestive glands of mollusks
  • [no object] seek to uncover information about someone or something:he began to probe into Donald’s whereabouts [with object]:police are probing another murder

Derivatives

prober

noun

probingly

adverb

Origin:

late Middle English (as a noun): from late Latin proba 'proof' (in medieval Latin 'examination'), from Latin probare 'to test'. The verb dates from the mid 17th century

probe in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of probe in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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