v.
Pronunciation: in- ' kw ī (- ə )r
Function: verb
Inflected Form: in · quired ; in · quir · ing
Etymology: Middle English enquiren, from Anglo-French enquerre, from Vulgar Latin *inquaerere, alteration of Latin inquirere, from in- + quaerere to seek
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 : to ask about <some kindred spirit shall inquire thy fate ― Thomas Gray>
2 : to search into : INVESTIGATE
intransitive verb
1 : to put a question : seek for information by questioning < inquired about the horses>
2 : to make investigation or inquiry ― often used with into
synonyms see ASK
– in · quir · er noun
– in · quir · ing · ly \ - ' kw ī -ri ŋ -l ē \ adverb
– inquire after : to ask about the health of