(1) 考察，探险(测)，勘探 (search or travel through (a place) for the purpose of discovery) [I，T+n]：～for oil 勘探石油; Let's go out to～/go～ing in the caves. 我们去探险吧/去洞穴探险。～a vast region in North America/the surface of the Mars 探测北美洲的广大地区/火星表面;～other planets for signs of life 探测其他星球以寻找生命的迹象; 〖同〗scout，penetrate;

(2) 探索(讨，究)，研究 (examine (a situation) carefully in order to understand or find out about it) [T+n]：～a problem/the solution to a problem/the possibility of a cease-fire (of getting a job)/all the possibilities/all possible ways to increase food production 研究问题/探求解决问题的方法/寻求停火(找工作)的可能性/探索各种可能性/研究所有可能增加粮食生产的方法; 〖同〗 investigate，examine，analyze，try;

→͵explo′ration n 探险，研究;ex′ploratory adj 探险的，研究的;ex′plorer n 探险者