■ verb
1》 say something in order to obtain an answer or information: I ~ed her what she meant.
↘( ~ after or Scottish for ) Brit. enquire about the well-being of.
2》 say to (someone) that one wants them to do or give something.
↘say that one wants permission to do something.
↘( ~ for ) say that one wants to speak to.
↘say that one wants (a specified amount) as a price for selling something.
3》 expect or demand (something) of someone: it's ~ing a lot, but could you look through Billy's things?
4》 invite to a social occasion.
↘( ~ someone out ) invite someone out on a date.
■ noun US the ~ing price of a financial security.
Phrases
a big ~ informal a difficult demand to fulfil.
for the ~ing for little or no effort or cost.
I ~ you! informal an exclamation of shock or disapproval.
Derivatives
~er noun
Origin
OE āscian , āhsian , āxian , of W. Gmc origin.