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==Etymology==
Latin explorare, from ex- + plorare to cry out
*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Century 1585]
==Definitions==
*1 a : to investigate, [[study]], or [[analyze]] : look into <explore the [[relationship]]
:between social class and learning ability> —sometimes used with indirect questions <to explore where ethical issues arise — R. T. Blackburn>
:b : to become familiar with by testing or [[experimenting]] <explore new cuisines>
2 : to travel over (new territory) for [[adventure]] or [[discovery]]
3 : to [[examine]] especially for diagnostic [[purposes]] <explore the wound>
==Description==
'''Exploration''' is the [[act]] of searching or traveling a terrain (including [[space]], see space exploration) for the [[purpose]] of [[discovery]] of resources or [[information]]. Exploration occurs in all non-sessile [[animal]] species, including [[humans]]. In human [[history]], its peak is seen during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Discovery Age of Discovery] for Europe's contact with the rest of the world, and Major explorations after the Age of Discovery for [[scientific]] exploration in the modern era.
The term may also be used [[metaphorically]], for example persons may speak of exploring the [[internet]], [[sexuality]], etc. In scientific [[research]], exploration is one of three [[purposes]] of empirical research (the other two being description and explanation). Exploration is the attempt to develop an initial, rough [[understanding]] of some [[phenomenon]].
[[Category: General Reference]]
