probe
Use Probe in a sentence
verb (used with object)
1.
to search into or examine thoroughly; question closely: to probe one's conscience.
2.
to examine or explore with a probe.
verb (used without object)
3.
to examine or explore with or as if with a probe.
noun
4.
the act of probing.
5.
a slender surgical instrument for exploring the depth or direction of a wound, sinus, or the like.
6.
an investigation, especially by a legislative committee, of suspected illegal activity.
7.
Aerospace. space probe.
8.
a projecting, pipelike device on a receiving aircraft used to make connection with and receive fuel from a tanker aircraft during refueling in flight.
9.
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.
10.
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.
Origin:
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
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
Related forms
probe·a·ble, adjective
prob·er, noun
re·probe, verb, re·probed, re·prob·ing.
un·probed, adjective
Synonyms
1. investigate, scrutinize.
1. investigate, scrutinize.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To probe
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Probe
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is proclamation. Does it mean:
| to defer action; delay: |
| something that is proclaimed; a public and official announcement. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
probe (prəʊb) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | (tr) to search into or question closely |
| 2. | to examine (something) with or as if with a probe |
| —n | |
| 3. | something that probes, examines, or tests |
| 4. | surgery a slender and usually flexible instrument for exploring a wound, sinus, etc |
| 5. | a thorough inquiry, such as one by a newspaper into corrupt practices |
| 6. | electronics a lead connecting to or containing a measuring or monitoring circuit used for testing |
| 7. | electronics a conductor inserted into a waveguide or cavity resonator to provide coupling to an external circuit |
| 8. | 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 |
| 9. | See space probe |
| [C16: from Medieval Latin proba investigation, from Latin probāre to test] | |
| 'probeable | |
| —adj | |
| 'prober | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
probe
1580, "instrument for exploring wounds, etc.," from M.L. proba "examination," in L.L. "test, proof," from L. probare (see prove). Meaning "act of probing" is 1890, from the verb; fig. sense of "penetrating investigation" is from 1903. Meaning "small, unmanned exploratory craft"
is attested from 1953. The verb is first recorded 1649 (originally figurative; "to search thoroughly, interrogate"), from the noun.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
probe (prōb)
n.
A slender flexible surgical instrument with a blunt bulbous tip, used to explore a wound or body cavity. v. probed, prob·ing, probes
To explore a wound or body cavity with a probe.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
FOLDOC
Computing Dictionary
Probe definition
An object-oriented logic language based on ObjVlisp.
["Proposition d'une Extension Objet Minimale pour Prolog", Actes du Sem Prog en Logique, Tregastel (May 1987), pp. 483-506].
Example sentences
The narrative unfolds through a series of often thorny conversations, as the sisters probe these and other points of contention.
Currently scientists are able to probe human brain activity in several ways.
The number-crunchers probe the lenders about their exposures to potential bad debts.
The standard tools of astronomy cannot probe this dark portion of the universe.
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