probe

Definition

Any of various medical instruments used to explore wounds, organs, etc.

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.

Example Sentences

• "You know, XR178.9, we haven't done any anal probes in a while."
• "You listen here! We don't do anal probes like other aliens, but I'm about to make an exception!"
• "Silverberg also gives the reader reader some excellent character insight; deep probes into the minds of all the principals bring the reader closer to the persons involved than might be thought possible with the plot so far removed from the realm of normality."