Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1500-1600
Language: Latin
Origin: explorare, from plorare 'to cry out'; probably from the shouting of hunters when they see the animal they are trying to catch

explore

 verb
     
ex‧plore S3 W2
1 [transitive] to discuss or think about something carefully [= look at]:
Management need to explore ways of improving office security.
I'm going to explore the possibility of a part-time job.
2 [intransitive and transitive] to travel around an area in order to find out about it:
Venice is a wonderful city to explore.
3

explore (something) for oil/minerals/gold etc

to look for something such as oil, minerals etc
4 [transitive] written to feel something with your hand or another part of your body to find out what it is like:
Gingerly she explored the bump on her head with her fingers.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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