Inquire
[ɪn'kwaɪə] or [ɪn'kwaɪr]
Definition
(v. i.) To ask a question; to seek for truth or information by putting queries.
(v. i.) To seek to learn anything by recourse to the proper means of knoledge; to make examination.
(v. t.) To ask about; to seek to know by asking; to make examination or inquiry respecting.
(v. t.) To call or name.
Editor: Rebekah
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. n. [Written also Enquire.] [1]. Ask, question, seek information (by questioning), make inquiry.[2]. Make investigation, make examination.
Editor: Nolan
Definition
v.i. to ask a question: to make an investigation.—v.t. to ask about: to make an examination regarding: (Spens.) to call.—n. (Shak.) a seeking for information.—ns. Inquirā′tion (Dickens) inquiry; Inquiren′do (law) an authority to inquire; Inquir′er.—adj. Inquir′ing given to inquiry.—adv. Inquir′ingly.—n. Inquir′y act of inquiring: search for knowledge: investigation; a question.—Writ of inquiry a writ appointing an inquest.
Checker: Raffles
Examples
- No, I never inquire. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- The garden gate was open to the lane, and I went in at once to inquire my way. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- My leg, which you inquire after, is now quite well. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- Mr. Moore, a lady called to inquire after you. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- The carrier looked at me, as if to inquire if she were coming back. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- This is not for you to inquire into. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- You sent me a message respecting the person whose writing I happened to inquire about. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- I asked first if Sir Percival was at the Park, and receiving a reply in the negative, inquired next when he had left it. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Mrs. Porter inquired, growing impatient. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- I naturally inquired why he was not there too, instead of pacing the streets by himself? Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- I immediately inquired of her why she left her home with such a dreadful cough. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- I inquired after Sophia, who had not been permitted to visit me because the scarlet fever was considered infectious. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- Has anything more been heard, Veneering,' he inquired, 'of the lucky legatee? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- I inquired, in a low voice. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- I could not forbear inquiring. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- On his inquiring if he might have a conversation with her she replied, Yes, walk beside me, and continued to move on. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- It might have been her own fate she was inquiring after. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- As to his real character, had information been in her power, she had never felt a wish of inquiring. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- Inquiring at the hotel, I received the necessary directions for finding the Sergeant's cottage. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Glancing towards Mr and Mrs Boffin, she very slightly raised her eyebrows, as though inquiring of her husband: 'Do I notice anything wrong here? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Inquiring after him at night, Mr Flintwinch found, with surprise, that he had paid his bill and gone back to the Continent by way of Calais. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Grandfather Smallweed inquires, slowly rubbing his legs. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Mrs Podsnap inquires whether the young person is a young person of personal charms? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Mr. Tulkinghorn had listened gravely to this complaint and inquires when the stationer has finished, And that's all, is it, Snagsby? Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Mrs. Snagsby repeatedly inquires of herself. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Mr Podsnap inquires what would become of the very large fortune, in the event of the marriage condition not being fulfilled? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Scientific thought is in this sense Pythagorean, that it inquires in reference to quantity and proporti on. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- Grandfather Smallweed inquires of Judy, Bart's twin sister. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
Typed by Joan