Inquire

• POS: Verb (intransitive)
• HYPHEN: in=quire

CIDE DICTIONARY

Inquire, v. i. [OE. enqueren, inqueren, OF. enquerre, F. enquérir, L. inquirere, inquisitum; pref. in- in + quarere to seek. See Quest a seeking, and cf. Inquiry.].

•  To ask a question; to seek for truth or information by putting queries.  [1913 Webster]

  "We will call the damsel, and inquire."  [1913 Webster]

  "Then David inquired of the Lord yet again. And the Lord answered him."  [1913 Webster]
•  To seek to learn anything by recourse to the proper means of knowledge; to make examination.  [1913 Webster]

  " This word is followed by of before the person asked; as, to inquire of a neighbor. It is followed by concerning, after, or about, before the subject of inquiry; as, his friends inquired about or concerning his welfare. “Thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.” Eccl. vii. 10. It is followed by into when search is made for particular knowledge or information; as, to inquire into the cause of a sudden death. It is followed by for or after when a place or person is sought, or something is missing. “Inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus.” Acts ix. 11."  [1913 Webster]

  "And inquire
  Gladly into the ways of God with man."  [1913 Webster]

Inquire, v. t. 

•  To ask about; to seek to know by asking; to make examination or inquiry respecting.  [1913 Webster]

  "Having thus at length inquired the truth concerning law and dispense."  [1913 Webster]

  "And all obey and few inquire his will."  [1913 Webster]
•  To call or name.  Spenser.

Syn. -- To ask; question. See Question.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Inquire, v.
1 intr. seek information formally; make a formal investigation.
2 intr. & tr. = ENQUIRE.

Derivative

inquirer n.

Etymology

var. of ENQUIRE

THESAURUS

Inquire

ask, ask a question, ask about, ask questions, be curious, bring into question, burn with curiosity, catechize, demand, dig around for, dig up, enquire, examine, explore, gape, gawk, inquire into, inquire of, inspect, interpellate, interrogate, investigate, look into, make inquiry, nose around for, nose out, peer, probe, propose a question, propound a question, put queries, query, question, quiz, require an answer, research, rubber, rubberneck, scrutinize, search, seek, stare, study, survey, want to know

ROGET THESAURUS

Inquire

Inquiry

VB make inquiry, inquire, ask, seek, search, look for, look about for, look out for, scan, reconnoiter, explore, sound, rummage, ransack, pry, peer, look round, look over, go over, look through, go through, spy, overhaul, ask about, inquire about, scratch the head, slap the forehead, look into every hole and corner, peer into every hole and corner, pry into every hole and corner, nose, trace up, search out, hunt down, hunt out, fish out, ferret out, unearth, leave no stone unturned, seek a clue, seek a clew, hunt, track, trail, mouse, dodge, trace, follow the trail, follow the scent, pursue, beat up one's quarters, fish for, feel for, investigate, take up an inquiry, institute an inquiry, pursue an inquiry, follow up an inquiry, conduct an inquiry, carry on an inquiry, carry out an inquiry, prosecute an inquiry, look at, look into, preexamine, discuss, canvass, agitate, examine, study, consider, calculate, dip into, dive into, delve into, go deep into, make sure of, probe, sound, fathom, probe to the bottom, probe to the quick, scrutinize, analyze, anatomize, dissect, parse, resolve, sift, winnow, view in all its phases, try in all its phases, thresh out, bring in question, bring into question, subject to examination, put to the proof, audit, tax, pass in review, take into consideration, take counsel, question, demand, put the question, pop the question, propose the question, propound the question, moot the question, start the question, raise the question, stir the question, suggest the question, put forth the question, ventilate the question, grapple with the question, go into a question, question, put to the question, interrogate, pump, subject to interrogation, subject to examination, cross-question, cross-examine, press for an answer, give the third degree, put to the inquisition, dodge, catechize, require an answer, pick the brains of, suck the brains of, feel the pulse, get the lay of the land, see how the wind is blowing, put one's ear to the ground, be in question, undergo examination.