probed

Probed is the past tense and past participle of the verb probe. It is used to describe the act of examining, testing, or investigating something in detail. In medical contexts, a clinician may probe a wound or tissue to assess tenderness, depth, or the presence of injury, often using a finger or instrument. In investigative or analytical contexts, researchers, investigators, or journalists may probe a crime, a system, a market, or a theory to uncover facts, test hypotheses, or reveal the extent of an issue. In scientific and technical work, to probe a device or material means to apply a measurement, stimulus, or diagnostic technique to study its properties, response, or behavior. The term can carry a sense of thoroughness and sometimes invasiveness, depending on the context.

The word derives from Latin probare, meaning “to test,” and entered English through Old French and Middle English. The past tense form probed has long been used in both literal and figurative senses, including in contexts such as research and journalism where investigators probe for information or truth. Related terms include probe (the instrument or the act of probing), probing (the process), and probative (serving to prove or investigate).