See Also: inquire(dictionary)
inquire(dictionary)

inquire (iou)



inquire verb. (see note below). ME.
[Old French enquerre (mod. new formation enquerir) from Proto-Romance var. of Latin inquirere, formed as IN-2 + quaerere ask.]
a. verb trans. Examine, investigate. ME-L18.
J. Woodall The use of a Probe..sometimes to enquire the depth of a wound.
b. verb intrans. Make investigation (into). ME.
B. Bettelheim He felt no need to inquire into my motives.
verb trans. Seek knowledge of (a thing) by asking a question; ask to be told. (Foll. by subord. clause (& direct speech) or (now less usu.) simple obj., of or (Scot.) at the person asked.) ME.
R. Burns The wily mother..inquires his name. S. Lewis Club members..stopped him to inquire, 'How's your good lady getting on?' W. Trevor She enquired of me if I knew..Lady Lord-Blood.
verb intrans. Put a question or questions; ask. (Foll. by about or after a matter, of or (Scot.) at the person asked.) ME.
inquire after spec. make inquiries about the health etc. of.
H. James She enquired scrupulously about her husband's health. M. Cox He had been encouraged to inquire freely of his parents on religious matters.
b. Foll. by for, (arch.) after: make request for (a thing); ask to see (a person). E16.
Bible (AV): Acts 9:11 Inquire in the house of Judas, for one called Saul of Tarsus. Harper's Magazine I enquired at house after house for board.
verb trans. Question, interrogate, (a person). ME-L17.
verb trans. Search for, try to find; esp. search out. ME-L18.
verb trans. Call for, require. rare. E16-M17.
verb trans. Name, call. rare (Spenser). Only in L16.
? Recent UK usage tends to distinguish enquire = ask, inquire = make investigation; the distinction is not made in North America.
inquirer noun L16.
inquiring ppl adjective that inquires; seeking or disposed to seek information, answers, etc.: L16.
inquiringly adverb M17.