exploration

exploration
    n 1: to travel for the purpose of discovery [syn: {exploration},
         {geographic expedition}]
    2: a careful systematic search
    3: a systematic consideration; "he called for a careful
       exploration of the consequences"
    

Exploration \Ex`plo*ra"tion\, n. [L. exploratio: cf. F.
   exploration.]
   The act of exploring, penetrating, or ranging over for
   purposes of discovery, especially of geographical discovery;
   examination; as, the exploration of unknown countries; (Med.)
   physical examination.
   [1913 Webster]

         "An exploration of doctrine."            --Bp. Hall.
   [1913 Webster]
    

46 Moby Thesaurus words for "exploration":
      adventure, analysis, domiciliary visit, dragnet, emprise, enquiry,
      examination, expedition, forage, frisk, house-search, hunt,
      hunting, inquiry, inspection, investigation, mission, observation,
      perquisition, pilgrimage, posse, probe, quest, ransacking, recce,
      recco, recon, reconnaissance, reconnoiter, reconnoitering,
      research, review, rummage, scouting, scrutiny, search,
      search party, search warrant, search-and-destroy operation,
      searching, stalk, stalking, still hunt, study, survey,
      turning over