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Webster 1913 Edition

Explore

Ex-plore′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Explored
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Exploring
.]
[L.
explorare
to explore;
ex
out+
plorare
to cry out aloud,prob. orig., to cause to flow; perh. akin to E.
flow
: cf. F.
explorer
.]
1.
To seek for or after; to strive to attain by search; to look wisely and carefully for.
[Obs.]
Explores
the lost, the wandering sheep directs.
Pope.
2.
To search through or into; to penetrate or range over for discovery; to examine thoroughly;
as, to
explore
new countries or seas; to
explore
the depths of science.
“Hidden frauds [to] explore.”
Dryden.

Webster 1828 Edition

Explore

EXPLO'RE

,
Verb.
T.
[L. exploro; ex and ploro, to cry out, to wail, to bawl. The compound appears to convey a very different sense from the simple verb ploro; but the primary sense is to stretch, strain, drive; applied to the voice, it is to strain or press out sounds or words; applied to the eyes, it is to stretch or reach, as in prying curiosity.]
1.
To search for making discovery; to view with care; to examine closely by the eye.
Moses sent spies to explore the land of Canaan.
2.
To search by any means; to try; as, to explore the deep by a plummet or lead.
3.
To search or pry into; to scrutinize; to inquire with care; to examine closely with a view to discover truth; as, to explore the depths of science.

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