Added 9 October 2026
probe
/pɹəʊb/ noun
In Latin: specillum, mēlōtris Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about probe at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
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.
verb
- Question or examine thoroughly and closely.
-
Examine physically with or as if with a probe.
probe an anthill
Origin
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.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)