释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024in•quire /ɪnˈkwaɪr/USA pronunciation also enquire, v., -quired, -quir•ing. - to seek information by questioning;
ask: [no object]to inquire about a person.[~ + object]to inquire a person's name.[used with quotations]"Why are you searching for that planet?'' he inquired. - to make an investigation:[~ + into + object]decided to inquire further into the incident.
- inquire after, [~ + object] to ask about the health of (someone not present):politely inquired after each other's families.
in•quir•er, n. [countable]See -quir-. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024in•quire (in kwīər′),USA pronunciation v., -quired, -quir•ing. v.i. - to seek information by questioning;
ask:to inquire about a person. - to make investigation (usually fol. by into):to inquire into the incident.
v.t. - to seek to learn by asking:to inquire a person's name.
- [Obs.]to seek.
- [Obs.]to question (a person).
- inquire after, to ask about the state of health or condition of:Friends have been calling all morning to inquire after you.
Also, enquire. - Latin, as above
- Old French enquerre
- Latin inquīrere to seek for (see in-2, query); replacing Middle English enqueren
- Middle English 1250–1300
in•quir′a•ble, adj. in•quir′er, n. - 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged –3. investigate, examine, query. Inquire, ask, question imply that a person addresses another to obtain information. Ask is the general word:to ask what time it is.Inquire is more formal and implies asking about something specific:to inquire about a rumor.To question implies repetition and persistence in asking; it often applies to legal examination or investigation:to question the survivor of an accident.Sometimes it implies doubt:to question a figure, an account.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: inquire, enquire /ɪnˈkwaɪə/ vb - to seek information; ask: she inquired his age, she inquired about rates of pay
- (followed by of) to ask (a person) for information: I'll inquire of my aunt when she is coming
- (intransitive) often followed by into: to make a search or investigation
Etymology: 13th Century: from Latin inquīrere from in-² + quaerere to seekinˈquirer, enˈquirer n |