probe

¹probe

noun \ˈprōb\

Definition of PROBE

1

: a slender medical instrument used especially for exploration (as of a wound or body cavity)

2

a : any of various testing devices or substances: as (1) : a pointed metal tip for making electrical contact with a circuit element being checked (2) : a usually small object that is inserted into something so as to test conditions at a given point (3) : a device used to penetrate or send back information especially from outer space or a celestial body (4) : a device (as an ultrasound generator) or a substance (as radioactively labeled DNA) used to obtain specific information for diagnostic or experimental purposes

b : a pipe on the receiving airplane thrust into the drogue of the delivering airplane in air refueling

3

a : the action of probing

b : a penetrating or critical investigation

c : a tentative exploratory advance or survey

Examples of PROBE

1. The FBI probe did not produce any new evidence.
2. <a congressional probe into the accusations>

Origin of PROBE

Medieval Latin proba examination, from Latin probare

First Known Use: 1580

Related to PROBE

Synonyms

delving, disquisition, examen, examination, exploration, inquest, inquisition, investigation, probation, inquiry, probing, research, study

Related Words

quest; audit, check; checkup, diagnosis, inspection; hearing, interrogation, trial; feeler, query, question; poll, questionary, questionnaire, survey; challenge, cross-examination, going-over, grilling, quiz; rehearing, reinvestigation; self-examination, self-exploration, self-questioning, self-reflection, self-scrutiny, soul-searching

Other Aeronautics/Aerospace Terms

airway, apron, corridor, dirigible, fishtail, flat-hat, vector

Rhymes with PROBE

daube, Dobe, globe, Job, lobe, robe, strobe

²probe

verb

probedprob·ing

Definition of PROBE

transitive verb

1

: to search into and explore very thoroughly : subject to a penetrating investigation

2

: to examine with a probe <unmanned vehicles probed space>

intransitive verb

: to make a searching exploratory investigation

— prob·er noun

Examples of PROBE

1. His questions made it clear he was probing for information.
2. He didn't like the police probing into his past.
3. He didn't like the police probing him about his past.
4. The doctor probed the wound with his finger.
5. Searchers probed the mud with long poles.
6. She probed the files for evidence that would help the investigation.

First Known Use of PROBE

1649

Related to PROBE

Synonyms

delve (into), dig (into), examine, inquire (into), investigate, look (into), explore, research

Related Words

inspect, sift, study, view; browse, cruise, peruse, scan, skim (through), surf, thumb (through); coinvestigate, reinvestigate

See Synonym Discussion at enter