1Travel in or through (an unfamiliar country or area) in order to learn about or familiarize oneself with it.

对冰岛西北部进行考察的最佳路线。

1. 1.1explore forno object Search for resources such as mineral deposits.
   勘探
   the company explored for oil

   Example sentencesExamples

   • There is a group of minerals, as the Minister will well know, that are the property of the Crown and the Crown can grant licences to others to explore for those minerals.
   • Underneath all of this beauty can be found vast oil reserves which are yet unexplored - only 30 percent of Colombia has been explored for oil to date.
   • Although a lot of people spent a lot of time exploring for tin they did not do very well.
   • To be fair, some of the area has yet to be explored for minerals.
   • And with a dozen or so companies already exploring for uranium, worth potentially billions of dollars, he says the Territory's stance was nonsensical.
   • Special allowances are given for expenditure incurred in exploring for minerals and petroleum resources and mine development expenditure.
   • The primary application of such reflection seismology is exploring for offshore oil and gas deposits, but academic scientists also use the method for various geological studies.
   • It was surveyed in 1900 by a geologist whose brief was to fill in the gaps on the map, and to explore for traces of mineral wealth.
   • Why is the mining company still exploring for iron ore?
   • Yet, it was always on my mind while exploring for minerals around Challis.
   • We need to be exploring for more energy in our country, starting in the wildlife preserve up in Alaska.
   • One of the companies exploring for minerals is searching for zinc and hoping to find other by-products.
   • He oversees the most profitable corporation in America, which operates oil refineries in 25 countries and explores for oil and gas on six continents.
   • The consortium then sent experts to the region south of Kabul to explore for copper and other mineral deposits.
   • In the relatively stable continental interiors the technique has been used, not only to explore for oil or other resources, but also to furnish data about the deep structure.
   • But then, in 1981, the area was explored for diamonds.
   • If prices stay up, oil companies will start pumping in fields that are unprofitable at lower prices, and will pour money into exploring for new fields.
   • The leaders discussed jointly exploring for undersea resources in the Gulf of Tonkin, known in China as the Beibu Gulf.
   • Japan claims 12 other areas that China is already exploring for oil and gas.
   • Obviously, nothing prevents potentially rivalrous entrepreneurs from exploring for and exploiting new supplies of a specific resource.
2. 1.2 Inquire into or discuss (a subject or issue) in detail.
   仔细调查；探讨（课题，问题）
   he sets out to explore fundamental questions

   他开始探讨一些基本问题。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Love must be one of the most thoroughly explored topics there is.
   • Her ‘public ego’ theory is a relatively new one she is currently exploring for a new book.
   • A panel discussion will explore the myriad issues surrounding rapidly emerging biotechnology and how it relates to world trade.
   • I explore this issue by discussing how actions and events are to be individuated, focusing on problem cases which raise difficulties concerning the location or time of occurrence of an action or an event.
   • Not only do they not find it harmful, but in some instances it has helped them to discuss and explore issues of theology and faith.
   • The author explores in depth the obstacles they confronted and the strategies they employed to survive and even prosper.
   • The exhibit also explores how designers double as producers, working to initiate ideas and make them concrete.
   • If a woman had a genuine fear of childbirth, the issue was explored and discussed in a balanced manner.
   • The site also offers general essays which explore themes common to many of the songs.
   • Peer-to-peer phone conferences are used to further explore the topics being discussed.
   • To sustain this thesis, this essay explores three interrelated issues.
   • Our numerical study reveals three remarkable features, which we explored using theoretical considerations.
   • The exhibit also explores how the structures affect the world around them.
   • The last chapter explored what comes through texts, and how we go about understanding and knowing the past.
   • The first article explores the struggles associated with the implementation of acquisition policy.
   • I do not think that they fully explored all the issues that could be explored.
   • Psychologists and other social scientists are actively exploring issues like these.
   • We asked the groups to discuss the case and explore the implementation issues arising from it as well as the doctor's feelings about these issues.
   • The audience is invited to take part in a one-hour post-show workshop and discussion, to explore issues raised in the play.
   • The play explores at length the motives that might cause someone to perpetrate such deeds.

   Synonyms

   deal with, be about, cover, be concerned with, concern itself with, discuss, speak about, talk about, write about, go into, investigate, tackle, handle
3. 1.3 Examine or evaluate (an option or possibility)
   仔细考虑（某一选项或可能性）；对…进行评估
   you continue to explore new ways to generate income

   Example sentencesExamples

   • He added the firm is exploring the possibility of contributing money to a cycle route on the former branch railway line linking Malmesbury with Little Somerford.
   • The second issue for further study entails exploring the options for development that overcome or compensate for locational disadvantages.
   • The research team is now exploring the possibility of using eye contact sensor glasses to treat children with autistic spectrum disorder.
   • Commercial entities, particularly those at port locations are actively exploring these options.
   • More research is urged to explore the possibility of future collaboration between proprietary schools and community colleges.
   • As always, I use the search engine to sniff for clues when I need to explore possibilities and options.
   • He wants to help small and midsized firms explore their options to the fullest extent.
   • We are also exploring options of what developments could go ahead without removing the covenants.
   • Members approved the application and asked officers to explore the three options, giving priority to the development of the garage site.
   • I just think that we need to explore all the avenues, you know?
   • They're exploring every avenue available and have promised to fight for their school.
   • He is exploring the possibility of adding Korean firms to his joint venture centre to take advantage of the abundance of native Korean speakers in the area.
   • Many businesses have yet to fully explore the possibilities of their web sites and the Internet.
   • This possibility was explored by examining negative emotionality immediately prior to psychophysiological data collection.
   • They also can explore all the career avenues open to them through the recruiting exhibitors.
   • This is why I want fleet managers, car hire firms, taxi companies and individual motorists to explore the liquefied petroleum gas option.
   • Further research is needed to explore this possibility.
   • Instead of saying that we are left with no other option, let us explore other possibilities.
   • We are having an organising conference on the 24th of November to explore which way we can use this.
   • In consultation with university administrators, the board encouraged foundation leaders to explore options.

   Synonyms

   investigate, look into, look over, enquire into, consider, check out
4. 1.4 Examine by touch.
   （通过触摸）检查
   her fingers explored his hair

   她用手指摸了摸他的头发。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Gently, Vincent's nimble fingers explored the hole, trying to determine how deep the bullet had gone.
   • ‘Yes,’ he said, looking out to sea while his fingers explored the thing.
   • As far as I'm concerned, most lovers don't spend enough time touching, discovering and exploring each other.
   • She encourages her audience to touch and explore her artwork.
   • Children also need to touch and explore things to gain mastery and may find it difficult to sit still or stay in one place long enough to participate in talk therapy.
   • He wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, then allowed the tips of his fingers to explore the smooth skin between his hairline and his nose.
   • Her hands slipped under his shirt touching, exploring every muscle.
   • In hospital, he was given a blue toy truck to hold before his operation, his small hands touching, probing, exploring the size of it, the shape of it.
   • As the story unfolds, she then responds to the children's comments and allows the toddlers to explore the book by touching.
   • It understands and explores the world through touch, and it has a vast repertoire of non-verbal forms of communication.
   • He took up one of her hands and manipulated the fingers, exploring their flexibility.
   • Trinkets that glittered, metallic objects that shined, and even funny shaped circles of varying size and color that had a dull glint to them called to her to touch and explore them.
   • He opened his mouth to protest again but she was searching for words while her finger explored the rust on his car.
   • My beautiful baby was in my arms and close to my chest, her soft fingers exploring the line of my chin.
   • The nerve endings on his fingers had become ultra sensitive and he explored his hair as if it were the deep jungle of Viet Nam.
   • Gingerly he explores them with his fingers and is relieved to discover them merely tightly bandaged.
   • Frantically, her fingers explored the cloth until they alighted upon a cool piece of knobby metal - the crucifix on the end of her rosary.
   • Without further consent, Michael bowed my head forward and his fingers explored my hair around the back of my head while he searched for a visible injury of some kind.
   • A little finger explored the button on Stray's hat with fascination.
   • The baby proceeded to explore Nicholas, poking his face and tugging on his hair, giggling the entire time.

   Synonyms

   examine, feel, feel around, prod, poke, check
5. 1.5Medicine Surgically examine (a wound or body cavity) in detail.
   〔医〕仔细检查（伤口或身体患处）
   Example sentencesExamples

   • After three minutes, he removed the sponge to explore the wound further.
   • The patient was surgically explored on the second day of life.
   • The wound should be explored, copiously irrigated, and surgically debrided.
   • One perforation resolved on conservative management with nasogastric feeding and the other was successfully explored and surgically repaired.
   • The decision was then made to explore the ear surgically.