(also inquire especially in NAmE ) / ɪnˈkwaɪə(r); NAmE / verb
enquire (about sb/sth) (rather formal ) to ask sb for some information :
[ v ]
I called the station to enquire about train times.
She enquired as to your whereabouts.
[ v wh- ]
Might I enquire why you have not mentioned this until now?
[ vn ]
He enquired her name.
[also v speech ] ➡ note at ask
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PHRASAL VERBS
- enquire after sb
- enquire into sth
- enquire sth of sb
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English enquere , from Old French enquerre , based on Latin inquirere (based on quaerere seek).