- The definition of a probe is an investigation into something or a blunt surgical tool used for exploratory medical testing.
- An example of a probe is an investigation into who stole money from the petty cash jar.
- An example of a probe is a probe used to perform a colonoscopy.
- To probe is to explore or investigate something.
- An example of probe is when a scientists studies the origin of DNA.
- An example of probe is when the police investigate a case to learn the identity of the criminal.
- a slender, blunt surgical instrument for exploring a wound or the like
- the act of probing
- a searching examination; specif.,
- ☆ an investigation, as by a legislative committee, into corruption, etc.
- an exploratory advance or patrol
- ☆ an instrumented spacecraft for exploring the upper atmosphere, space, or a celestial body in order to get information about the environment, physical properties, etc.
- any of various devices, as a Pitot tube or electrode, inserted into an environment for measuring, testing, etc.
Origin of probeLate Latin proba, proof (in Medieval Latin examination) ; from Classical Latin probare, to test, prove ; from probus, good, proper ; from Indo-European an unverified form probhwos (from source Sanskrit prabhúḥ, outstanding) ; from base an unverified form pro, forward + an unverified form bhū, to grow from source be
transitive verbprobed, probing
- to explore (a wound, etc.) with a probe
- to investigate or examine with great thoroughness
- a. A slender, flexible surgical instrument used to explore a wound or body cavity.b. An electrode or other device that can be placed inside something to take and convey measurements.c. A substance, such as DNA, that is radioactively labeled or otherwise marked and used to detect or identify another substance in a sample.d. A space probe.
- a. An exploratory action or expedition, especially one designed to investigate and obtain information on a remote or unknown region: the scouts' probe of enemy territory.b. The act of exploring or searching with a device or instrument: the surgeon's probe of the clogged artery.c. An investigation into unfamiliar matters or questionable activities; a penetrating inquiry: a congressional probe into price fixing; a reporter's probe into a public figure's past. See Synonyms at inquiry.
verbprobed probed, prob·ing, probes
- a. To penetrate or explore physically, especially with a probe, in order to find or discover something: “Chimpanzees use a variety of tools to probe termite mounds” (Virginia Morell).b. To investigate by means of a chemical probe.
- a. To make an inquiry about (something); investigate or examine: probed the impact of technology on social behavior.b. To subject (a person) to questioning; interrogate.
- To make a physical search, especially by penetrating with a probe: birds probing in the sand for clams.
- To pose questions or conduct an investigation: The police are probing into what really happened.
Origin of probeMiddle English, examination, from Medieval Latin proba, from Late Latin, proof, from Latin probāre, to test, from probus, good; see per1 in Indo-European roots.
- (surgery) Any of various medical instruments used to explore wounds, organs, etc. [from 15th c.]
- (figuratively) Something which penetrates something else, as though to explore; something which obtains information. [from 17th c.]
- An act of probing; a prod, a poke. [from 19th c.]
- (figuratively) An investigation or inquiry. [from 20th c.]
- They launched a probe into the cause of the accident.
- (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.]
- (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.
- (astronautics) A small, usually unmanned, spacecraft used to acquire information or measurements about its surroundings. [from 20th c.]
- (game of Go) a move with multiple answers seeking to make the opponent choose and commit to a strategy
(third-person singular simple present probes, present participle probing, simple past and past participle probed)
- (intransitive) To explore, investigate, or question
- If you probe further, you may discover different reasons.
- To insert a probe into.
For verb: Latin probare (“to test, examine, prove"), from probus (“good").
probe - Computer Definition
Any online effort, such as a request, program, or transaction, intended to get data about a computer’s or a network’s state. For example, a person can conduct a probe of the network by sending an “empty” message to determine whether a destination really exists.
See Also: Network.
Symantec Security Response. Glossary. [Online, July 15, 2004.] Symantec Security Response Website. http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html.
A small utility program that is used to investigate, or test, the status of a system, network or Web site. Probes are mostly used for lawful purposes to determine if a device is functional. They can also be used by crackers to locate weaknesses in the system. A Web probe analyzes a Web site and reports data such as response time, security protocols supported and type of Web server. See ping.