1.  explore(v = verb.cognition) research, search - inquire into; "the students had to research the history of the Second World War for their history project"; "He searched for information on his relatives on the web"; "Scientists are exploring the nature of consciousness"
is one way to investigate, look into
Derived forms noun exploration₃, adjective explorative₁, adjective exploratory₁
Sample sentences: They explore whether there was a traffic accident

2.  explore(v = verb.cognition) - travel to or penetrate into; "explore unknown territory in biology"
is one way to investigate, look into
Derived forms noun exploration₁, noun exploration₃, adjective explorative₁, adjective exploratory₁, noun explorer₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something

3.  explore(v = verb.cognition) - examine minutely;
is one way to diagnose, name
Derived forms noun exploration₂, noun exploration₃, adjective exploratory₁
Sample sentences: The men explore the area for animals

4.  explore(v = verb.cognition) - examine (organs) for diagnostic purposes;
is one way to diagnose
Derived forms noun exploration₂, adjective exploratory₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something

1.  To seek for or after; to strive to attain by search; to look wisely and carefully for. [1913 Webster]
"Explores the lost, the wandering sheep directs." [1913 Webster]

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. Dryden. [1913 Webster]

explore, v.tr.
1 travel extensively through (a country etc.) in order to learn or discover about it.
2 inquire into; investigate thoroughly.
3 Surgery examine (a part of the body) in detail.

Derivative:
explorative adj.

Etymology:
F explorer f. L explorare

VB  make inquiry, inquire, ask, seek, search, look for, look about for, look out for, scan, reconnoiter, explore, sound, rummage, ransack, pry, peer, look round, look over, go over, look through, go through, spy, overhaul, ask about, inquire about, scratch the head, slap the forehead, look into every hole and corner, peer into every hole and corner, pry into every hole and corner, nose, trace up, search out, hunt down, hunt out, fish out, ferret out, unearth, leave no stone unturned, seek a clue, seek a clew, hunt, track, trail, mouse, dodge, trace, follow the trail, follow the scent, pursue, beat up one's quarters, fish for, feel for, investigate, take up an inquiry, institute an inquiry, pursue an inquiry, follow up an inquiry, conduct an inquiry, carry on an inquiry, carry out an inquiry, prosecute an inquiry, look at, look into, preexamine, discuss, canvass, agitate, examine, study, consider, calculate, dip into, dive into, delve into, go deep into, make sure of, probe, sound, fathom, probe to the bottom, probe to the quick, scrutinize, analyze, anatomize, dissect, parse, resolve, sift, winnow, view in all its phases, try in all its phases, thresh out, bring in question, bring into question, subject to examination, put to the proof, audit, tax, pass in review, take into consideration, take counsel, question, demand, put the question, pop the question, propose the question, propound the question, moot the question, start the question, raise the question, stir the question, suggest the question, put forth the question, ventilate the question, grapple with the question, go into a question, question, put to the question, interrogate, pump, subject to interrogation, subject to examination, cross-question, cross-examine, press for an answer, give the third degree, put to the inquisition, dodge, catechize, require an answer, pick the brains of, suck the brains of, feel the pulse, get the lay of the land, see how the wind is blowing, put one's ear to the ground, be in question, undergo examination.

VB  experiment, essay, try, try out, assay, make an experiment, make a trial of, give a trial to, put on trial, subject to trial, experiment upon, rehearse, put to the test, bring to the test, submit to the test, submit to the proof, prove, verify, test, touch, practice upon, try one's strength, road-test, test drive, take for a spin, test fly, grope, feel one's way, grope for one's way, fumble, t=atonner, aller =a t=atons, put out a feeler, throw out a feeler, send up a trial balloon, send up a pilot balloon, see how the land lies, get the lay of the land, test the waters, feel out, sound out, take the pulse, see, check, check out, see how the wind blows, consult the barometer, feel the pulse, fish for, bob for, cast for, beat about for, angle, trawl, cast one's net, beat the bushes, try one's fortune, explore.