Probe

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /pɹəʊb/
• US IPA: /pɹoÊŠb/
• Rhymes: -əʊb

Origin

For verb: Latin probare ("to test, examine, prove"), from probus ("good").

For noun: Late Latin proba ("a proof"), from probare ("to test, examine, prove"); see proof. Compare Spanish tienta ("a surgeon's probe"), from tentar ("try, test"); see tempt.

Full definition of probe

Noun

1. (surgery) Any of various medical instruments used to explore wounds, organs, etc. from 15th c.
2. (figuratively) Something which penetrates something else, as though to explore; something which obtains information. from 17th c.
3. An act of probing; a prod, a poke. from 19th c.
4. (figuratively) An investigation or inquiry. from 20th c.They launched a probe into the cause of the accident.
5. (aeronautics) A tube attached to an aircraft which can be fitted into the drogue from a tanker aircraft to allow for aerial refuelling. from 20th c.
6. (sciences) A small device, especially an electrode, used to explore, investigate or measure something by penetrating or being placed in it. from 20th c.Insert the probe into the soil and read the temperature.
7. (astronautics) A small, usually unmanned, spacecraft used to acquire information or measurements about its surroundings. from 20th c.
8. (game of go) a move with multiple answers seeking to make the opponent choose and commit to a strategy

Synonyms

• (game of go) yosu-miru

Derived terms

• probe-and-drogue

Verb

1. (transitive, intransitive) To explore, investigate, or questionIf you probe further, you may discover different reasons.
• Hallamthe growing disposition to probe the legality of all acts of the crown
2. (transitive) To insert a probe into.

Related terms

• probable
• prove
• proof
• probity
• probation