probe

The story

1. Late Latin · borrowed fromproba“a proof”
2. Latin · borrowed fromprobare“to test, examine, prove”
3. English todayprobe

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.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 15th c. Any of various medical instruments used to explore wounds, organs, etc.
• from 15th c. An anal probe, a fictional instrument commonly used by aliens on abducted humans.
• from 17th c. Something which penetrates something else, as though to explore; something which obtains information.
• from 19th c. An act of probing; a prod, a poke.
• from 20th c. An investigation or inquiry.
• from 20th c. 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. A small device, especially an electrode, used to explore, investigate or measure something by penetrating or being placed in it.
• from 20th c. A small, usually uncrewed, spacecraft used to acquire information or measurements about its surroundings.