Probe

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

Probe, v. t. [L. probare to try, examine. See Prove.].

•  To examine, as a wound, an ulcer, or some cavity of the body, with a probe.  [1913 Webster]
•  Fig.: to search to the bottom; to scrutinize or examine thoroughly.  Dryden.  [1913 Webster]

  "The growing disposition to probe the legality of all acts, of the crown."  [1913 Webster]

Probe, n. 

 An instrument for examining the depth or other circumstances of a wound, ulcer, or cavity, or the direction of a sinus, of for exploring for bullets, for stones in the bladder, etc.  Parr.  [1913 Webster]

Probe scissors, or Probe-pointed scissors (Surg.), scissors used to open wounds, the blade of which, to be thrust into the orifice, has a button at the end. Wiseman.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Probe, n. & v.
--n.
1 a penetrating investigation.
2 any small device, esp. an electrode, for measuring, testing, etc.
3 a blunt-ended surgical instrument usu. of metal for exploring a wound etc.
4 (in full space probe) an unmanned exploratory spacecraft transmitting information about its environment.
--v.tr.
1 examine or enquire into closely.
2 explore (a wound or part of the body) with a probe.
3 penetrate with a sharp instrument.

Derivative

probeable adj. prober n. probingly adv.

Etymology

LL proba proof, in med.L = examination, f. L probare test

THESAURUS

Probe

ATDA, ATS, Alouette, Anna, Apollo, Ariel, Atlas-Score, Biosatellite, Comsat, Cosmos, Courier, Diapason, Discoverer, ERS, Early Bird, Echo, Elektron, Explorer, GATV, Gemini, Injun, Intelsat, LPN, Lofti, Luna, Lunar Orbiter, Lunik, Mariner, Mars probes, Mercury, Midas, Nimbus, OAO, OGO, OSO, Pageos, Pegasus, Pioneer, Proton, RN, Ranger, Relay, Samos, San Marco, Secor, Sputnik, Surveyor, Syncom, Telstar, Transit, Vanguard, Viking, Voskhod, WRESAT, Zond, amassing evidence, appraise, appreciate, artificial satellite, artificial satellites, assay, assess, barometer, calculate, calibrate, caliper, charge nurse, check a parameter, close inquiry, communications satellite, compute, delve into, delving, department of investigation, detection, detective work, dial, dig, dig into, district nurse, divide, domiciliary visit, dragnet, enquiry, estimate, evaluate, examination, examine, exhaustive study, exploration, explore, fathom, feel out, feeler, fly a kite, forage, frisk, gauge, geo probe, geodetic satellite, geophysical satellite, go, go into, graduate, graduate nurse, hearing, house-search, hunt, hunting, indagate, indagation, inquest, inquiry, inquisition, instrument carrier, investigate, investigation, investigative bureau, legislative investigation, legwork, licensed practical nurse, look into, measure, mensurate, mete, meter, navigational satellite, nurse, nursing sister, pace, peer into, perquisition, perscrutation, pilot balloon, plumb, poke, poke around, poke into, posse, practical nurse, private-duty nurse, prize, probationer, probationist, probing, prod, pry into, public health nurse, quantify, quantize, quest, random sample, ransacking, rate, read, reconnoiter, registered nurse, registering rocket, research, research rocket, research satellite, robot satellite, rummage, sample, satellite, school nurse, scrub nurse, scrutinize, scrutiny, search, search into, search party, search warrant, search-and-destroy operation, searching, sift, sifting, sister, size, size up, sleuthing, sound, sound out, sounder, space probe, space satellite, spacecraft, span, sputnik, stalk, stalking, step, still hunt, straw vote, student nurse, study, surgical nurse, survey, take a reading, test rocket, trained nurse, trial balloon, triangulate, turning over, unmanned satellite, valuate, value, visiting nurse, weather satellite, weather vane, weathercock, weigh, witch-hunt

ROGET THESAURUS

Probe

Depth

N depth, deepness, profundity, depression, hollow, pit, shaft, well, crater, gulf, bowels of the earth, botttomless pit, hell, soundings, depth of water, water, draught, submersion, plummet, sound, probe, sounding rod, sounding line, lead, bathymetry, sonar, side-looking sonar, bathometer, deep, deep seated, profound, sunk, buried, submerged, subaqueous, submarine, subterranean, subterraneous, subterrene, underground, bottomless, soundless, fathomless, unfathomed, unfathomable, abysmal, deep as a well, bathycolpian, benthal, benthopelagic, downreaching, yawning, knee deep, ankle deep, beyond one's depth, out of one's depth, over head and ears, mark twine, mark twain.

Perforator

N perforator, piercer, borer, auger, chisel, gimlet, stylet, drill, wimble, awl, bradawl, scoop, terrier, corkscrew, dibble, trocar, trepan, probe, bodkin, needle, stiletto, rimer, warder, lancet, punch, puncheon, spikebit, gouge, spear, puncher, punching machine, punching press, punch pliers.

Inquiry

VB make inquiry, inquire, ask, seek, search, look for, look about for, look out for, scan, reconnoiter, explore, sound, rummage, ransack, pry, peer, look round, look over, go over, look through, go through, spy, overhaul, ask about, inquire about, scratch the head, slap the forehead, look into every hole and corner, peer into every hole and corner, pry into every hole and corner, nose, trace up, search out, hunt down, hunt out, fish out, ferret out, unearth, leave no stone unturned, seek a clue, seek a clew, hunt, track, trail, mouse, dodge, trace, follow the trail, follow the scent, pursue, beat up one's quarters, fish for, feel for, investigate, take up an inquiry, institute an inquiry, pursue an inquiry, follow up an inquiry, conduct an inquiry, carry on an inquiry, carry out an inquiry, prosecute an inquiry, look at, look into, preexamine, discuss, canvass, agitate, examine, study, consider, calculate, dip into, dive into, delve into, go deep into, make sure of, probe, sound, fathom, probe to the bottom, probe to the quick, scrutinize, analyze, anatomize, dissect, parse, resolve, sift, winnow, view in all its phases, try in all its phases, thresh out, bring in question, bring into question, subject to examination, put to the proof, audit, tax, pass in review, take into consideration, take counsel, question, demand, put the question, pop the question, propose the question, propound the question, moot the question, start the question, raise the question, stir the question, suggest the question, put forth the question, ventilate the question, grapple with the question, go into a question, question, put to the question, interrogate, pump, subject to interrogation, subject to examination, cross-question, cross-examine, press for an answer, give the third degree, put to the inquisition, dodge, catechize, require an answer, pick the brains of, suck the brains of, feel the pulse, get the lay of the land, see how the wind is blowing, put one's ear to the ground, be in question, undergo examination.

Experiment

N experiment, essay, analysis, screen, trial, tentative method, t=atonnement, verification, probation, experimentum crucis, proof, (demonstration), criterion, diagnostic, test, probe, crucial test, acid test, litmus test, crucible, reagent, check, touchstone, pix, assay, ordeal, ring, litmus paper, curcuma paper, turmeric paper, test tube, analytical instruments, empiricism, rule of thumb, feeler, trial balloon, pilot balloon, messenger balloon, pilot engine, scout, straw to show the wind, speculation, random shot, leap in the dark, analyzer, analyst, assayist, adventurer, experimenter, experimentist, experimentalist, scientist, engineer, technician, subject, experimentee, guinea pig, experimental animal, protocol, experimental method, blind experiment, double-blind experiment, controlled experiment, poll, survey, opinion poll, epidemiological survey, retrospective analysis, retrospective survey, prospective survey, prospective analysis, statistical analysis, literature search, library research, tryout, audition, discovery, measurement, evidence, deduction, induction, abduction, experimental, empirical, probative, probatory, probationary, provisional, analytic, docimastic, tentative, unverified, unproven, speculative, untested, on trial, under examination, on probation, under probation, on one's trial, on approval, check it out, give it a try, see how it goes, Run it up the flagpole and see who salutes.

Measurement

VB measure, mete, determine, assay, evaluate, value, assess, rate, appraise, estimate, form an estimate, set a value on, appreciate, standardize, span, pace step, apply the compass, gauge, plumb, probe, sound, fathom, heave the log, heave the lead, survey, weigh, take an average, graduate.