probe
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probe
probe
(spaceprobe) See planetary probe.Probe
a medical instrument for examining hollow and tubular organs, normal and pathological canals, sinus passages, and wounds. Depending on their purpose, probes are manufactured from metal (steel, silver) or from elastic material.
By probing one may determine by touch the depth and breadth of a passage or cavity, its direction and shape, and the presence of foreign bodies. The use of hollow probes makes it possible to sample the contents of a hollow organ or to inject diagnostic and medicinal drugs (for example, a gastric probe). Certain types of probes can be attached to special instruments, making it possible to determine the pressure in the cavity of an organ, the fluctuation of electrical potentials, or the motor function of an organ (for example, probing the heart) for diagnostic purposes.
probe
[prōb]probe
ii. In air refueling, a projecting pipelike device installation on the receiving aircraft that makes a connection with the drogue to receive fuel from a tanker aircraft. See probe and drogue.
iii. An instrument boom (i.e., a boroscope). See boroscope.
iv. A mission into enemy territory to assess the alertness of its air defense system or to gather ELINT (electronic intelligence).
Probe
["Proposition d'une Extension Objet Minimale pour Prolog", Actes du Sem Prog en Logique, Tregastel (May 1987), pp. 483-506].