probe

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
  2. noun a flexible slender surgical instrument with a blunt end that is used to explore wounds or body cavities
  3. noun an exploratory action or expedition

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.

In classic literature

Synonyms

investigation

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