explorer English · revision 15462

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1602}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɛkˈsplɔːɹə(ɹ)/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is an agent noun from [[explore]], formed with [[-er]].^(Etymonline) It replaced the earlier exploratour (mid-15th century).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The 1680s in Etymonline, 1684–5 in the OED (one who examines or tests);^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Merriam-Webster dates it to 1602.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ One who explores a country or place is from 1740.^(OED 1989) A dental or surgical probe is from 1874.^(OED 1989) In the United States Explorers are senior Scouts,^(Collins 2023)^(AHD) and Explorer was the name of the first series of American satellites, from 1958.^(Collins 2023)^(Chambers 2008)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1602 – explorer (Merriam-Webster).^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1684–5 – one who examines.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1740 – one who explores a country.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1874 – a probe.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who travels through unknown places to learn about them.^(AHD)^(LDOCE 2009)

+ # A tool for exploring, such as a dental [[probe]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[exploration]]

+ * [[explorative]]

+ * [[exploratory]]

+ * [[explore]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}