Definition of PROBE

probe

Meanings

Plural: probes

Noun

  • an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
    • "there was a congressional probe into the scandal"
  • a flexible slender surgical instrument with a blunt end that is used to explore wounds or body cavities
  • an exploratory action or expedition
  • an investigation conducted using a flexible surgical instrument to explore an injury or a body cavity
  • Any of various medical instruments used to explore wounds, organs, etc.
  • Any of various medical instruments used to explore wounds, organs, etc.
  • An anal probe, a fictional instrument commonly used by aliens on abducted humans.
  • Something which penetrates something else, as though to explore; something which obtains information.
  • An act of probing; a prod, a poke.
  • An investigation or inquiry.
  • A tube attached to an aircraft which can be fitted into the drogue from a tanker aircraft to allow for aerial refuelling.
  • A small device, especially an electrode, used to explore, investigate or measure something by penetrating or being placed in it.
  • A small, usually uncrewed, spacecraft used to acquire information or measurements about its surroundings.
  • A move with multiple possible answers, seeking to make the opponent choose and commit to a strategy.
  • Any group of atoms or molecules radioactively labeled in order to study a given molecule or other structure

Verb

  • question or examine thoroughly and closely
  • examine physically with or as if with a probe
    • "probe an anthill"
  • To explore, investigate, question, test, or prove.
  • To insert a probe into.

Origin / Etymology

For verb: borrowed from Latin probare (“to test, examine, prove”), from probus (“good”). Doublet of prove.
For noun: borrowed from Late Latin proba (“a proof”), from probare (“to test, examine, prove”); Doublet of proof. Compare Spanish tienta (“a surgeon's probe”), from tentar (“try, test”); see tempt.

Synonyms

dig into, examine, investigation, poke into, yosu-miru

Scrabble Score: 9

probe is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
probe is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
probe is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 11

probe is a valid Words With Friends word