[ex.plore] vb ex.plored ; ex.plor.ing [L explorare, fr. ex- + plorare to cry out] vt (1585) 1 a: to investigate, study, or analyze: look into "~ the relationship between social class and learning ability"--sometimes used with indirect questions "to ~ where ethical issues arise --R. T. Blackburn" b: to become familiar with by testing or experimenting "~ new cuisines"
2: to travel over (new territory) for adventure or discovery
3: to examine minutely esp. for diagnostic purposes "~ the wound" ~ vi: to make or conduct a systematic search "~ for oil"