probe

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++probe1 /prəʊb $ proʊb/ ●○○ verb [intransitive, transitive]  1  INVESTIGATEto ask questions in order to find things out, especially things that other people do not want you to know 调查；打探，探究probe into I don’t want to probe too deeply into your personal affairs. 我不想过分打探你的私事。 Police probed claims that he had sold drugs. 警方就有人称他贩卖毒品一事进行了调查。2  EXAMINEto look for something or examine something, using a long thin object 〔用细长的工具〕寻找，探测，探查 Jules probed the mud gingerly with a stick. 朱尔斯小心翼翼地用棍子在淤泥里摸索着。→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

probe• The expected report from Mission Control had still not arrived; this might be the moment to do a little tactful probing.• The eyes were intently probing - a remembered deep, dark blue.• The Secretary of State is probing claims of election fraud.• Reporters began probing for more information.• I have profited from their probing into the functions such stories might serve.• I'm tired of the doctors poking and probing me with needles and tubes.• The guarding infantry probed the area but encountered nothing.• Cars streamed along the Embankment, their headlamps probing the dusk; a barge slapped its way along the shimmering river.• His eyes swept from side to side, probing the edges of the darkness.• Andrea was too distraught to speak as police probed the tragedy at Gabalfa, Cardiff, yesterday.• The press have been criticised for probing too deeply into the actor's private life.probe into• A federal grand jury will probe into the financial dealings between the two men.

Related topics: Hospital, Space

probe2 noun [countable]  1. MHa long thin metal instrument that doctors and scientists use to examine parts of the body 〔医生和科学家用的〕探针2. TTSa space probe 航天探测器，太空探测器3  TCNSLan investigation in which many questions are asked to discover the truth about something 深入调查，彻底调查 a police corruption probe 对警察贪污行为的彻底调查

Examples from the Corpus

probe• Ammiano called for a probe into reports of voter fraud.• I could have put my picks and probes to bed in the compartment I thus opened, but I decided not to.• Karen responded to my gentle probes.• The current data are insufficient to establish the suitability of the heater probe compared with other types of endoscopic treatment.• Lane 1 is the A+G sequence of the hybridization probe.• He subsequently alleged that the lab had produced sloppy, misleading or fabricated evidence in a number of major probes.• The idea was to manoeuvre the two modules together so that the probe entered the drogue.• The money went for staffers who were out of work when the probe ended.• The probe was applied from the front in 32 and laterally in 17 cases.From Longman Business Dictionaryprobeprobe1 /prəʊbproʊb/ noun [countable] journalism a very thorough examination of something that has happenedSYN INQUIRYThe probe focuses on an unauthorized bid placed by the company two months ago.probe into/ofThe agency is conducting a wide-ranging probe into possible collusion and fraud.federal probes of trading practices at the Chicago exchangesprobeprobe2 verb [intransitive, transitive] to ask very detailed questions to find something out, especially things people do not want you to knowTo probe further, I called economist John Mueller.The scale of losses is prompting regulators to probe the portfolios of US banks.→ See Verb tableOrigin probe2 (1500-1600) Medieval Latin proba, from Latin probare “to test, prove”

probe1 verbprobe2 nounChinese  

Business Corpus ask things questions out, find to order to in

probe

I

probe¹ /prəʊb $ proʊb/ verb [intransitive and transitive]
1. to ask questions in order to find things out, especially things that other people do not want you to know
    probe into
    I don’t want to probe too deeply into your personal affairs.
    Police probed claims that he had sold drugs.
2. to look for something or examine something, using a long thin object:
    Jules probed the mud gingerly with a stick.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ investigate to try to find out the truth about something such as a crime, accident, or scientific problem: Police are investigating an explosion in the city centre. | The aim of the study is to investigate how climate change is affecting animal behaviour. | There were fears he may have drowned in the lake, so divers were sent down to investigate.
   ▪ look into something to find out more about a problem, especially after someone has asked you to do this: The manager promised to look into my complaint. | Please could you look into the matter for me?
   ▪ explore to consider or discuss something, in order to help you decide what you should do: Military leaders are exploring new ways of defending the United States from terrorism. | I’m going to explore the possibility of a part-time job.
   ▪ probe [intransitive and transitive] to try to find secret or hidden information, especially by asking questions: The press began probing into the actor’s private life. | We have been probing the reasons why the government has been so slow to react to the problem of climate change.
   ▪ delve [intransitive] to look somewhere in order to try to find more information about something, especially something that is difficult to find out about: Over the past year Ms Deen has been delving into the national archives, in order to discover information on the early Muslim settlers. | I think we need to delve a little deeper.
   ▪ be under investigation if someone or their activities are under investigation, the police are trying to find out if they have done something illegal: Several public figures are under investigation for corruption.

II

probe² noun [countable]1. a long thin metal instrument that doctors and scientists use to examine parts of the body
2. a space probe
3. an investigation in which many questions are asked to discover the truth about something:
    a police corruption probe
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ investigation a process in which the police or another organization try to find out the truth about a crime or accident: Following a major police investigation, two men were arrested. | The investigation into the causes of the air crash are continuing.
   ▪ inquiry an official process to find out why something happened, which usually takes several months or years: Local people are calling for an inquiry into the accident. | An independent inquiry found serious shortcomings at the children’s home.
   ▪ case a matter that police or officials are trying to find out information about, especially so that it can be dealt with in a court of law: The case has never been solved. | The police say it is one of the most puzzling cases they have had to deal with.
   ▪ probe an investigation in which many questions are asked to find out the truth about something – used especially in journalism: The TV show featured a probe into charges charged by high street banks.
   ▪ inquest a legal investigation to find out why someone died: The inquest heard that Mr Swan was poisoned.
   ▪ survey a process in which people are asked questions in order to find out about their opinions or about their behaviour: They did a survey to find out the most popular pop star. | Based on a survey of 250 companies, the report says that ‘ over two thirds of companies expect operating costs to increase as a result of addressing environmental issues.
   ▪ autopsy British English a medical examination of a dead person’s body, to find out why that person died: If she died of a drug overdose, it would show up in the autopsy.