inquiry

/ɪŋ-/

UK: /ɪŋ-/

inquiry

English Noun Top 7,499
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Definition

The act of inquiring; a seeking of information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning.

Etymology

From Middle English enquery, from the Old French verb enquerre, from Latin inquīrō, composed of in- (“in, at, on; into”) + quaerō (“I seek, look for”), of uncertain origin, but possibly from Proto-Italic *kʷaizeō, from Proto-Indo-European *kʷeh₂- (“to acquire”). Later respelled to conform to the original Latin spelling, as opposed to the Old French spelling.

Example Sentences

  • "Scientific inquiry"
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