ex·plor·a·to·ry
adjective/ɪkˈsplɒrətri/
/ɪkˈsplɔːrətɔːri/
- done with the intention of examining something in order to find out more about it
探索的；探究的；探测的；勘探的 - exploratory surgery
探索性手术 - exploratory drilling for oil
钻井勘探石油 - an exploratory expedition up the Amazon
亚马逊探险 - Exploratory discussions between management and the unions have ended in stalemate.
管理层和工会之间的探索性讨论以僵局告终。
Oxford Collocations DictionaryExploratory is used with these nouns:- meeting
- operation
- stage
- …
Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin exploratorius, from Latin explorare ‘search out’, from ex- ‘out’ + plorare ‘utter a cry’. - exploratory surgery