To investigate or examine something thoroughly and systematically, often to uncover hidden information or understand complex phenomena. As a noun, it refers to a thorough investigation or the instrument used for examination.
From Latin probare 'to test' or 'to prove,' related to probus 'good' or 'honest.' The word evolved from testing the quality of things to investigating their nature, maintaining the sense of seeking truth through examination.
To probe is to be an intellectual detective, pushing beyond surface appearances to discover what lies beneath! The word beautifully captures both the gentle precision (like a medical probe) and determined persistence (like space probes) needed for serious academic investigation.
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