noun
also en·quiry ˈinˌkwī]rē, ə̇nˈkwī], ˈinkwə], -ri sometimes ˈiŋkwə] or ˈinˌkwi]\
( -es )
Etymology: alteration of Middle English enquery, from enqueren + -y
1. : the act or an instance of seeking truth, information, or knowledge about something : examination into facts or principles : research , investigation
complete freedom of inquiry
the scientific method of inquiry — C.W.Eliot
the most modern of inquiries, the study of the cosmic rays — K.K.Darrow
an inquiry into the nature of truth
specifically : a formal or official investigation of a matter of public interest by a body (as a legislative committee) with power to compel testimony
witnesses convicted of contempt of congressional inquiries — Current Biography
2. : the act or an instance of asking for information : a request for information : query , question
upon inquiry , I learned that he was out
the information desk receives many inquiries
would not answer my inquiry
Synonyms:
inquisition , investigation , inquest , probe , research : inquiry is a general term applicable to any quest for truth, knowledge, or information
make inquiries about a prospective employee
they made inquiries, and learned that Wild Bill was then in the Mint saloon — S.H.Holbrook
a letter of inquiry to the authorities
the True, which is the goal of all scientific and all philosophical inquiry — W.R.Inge
inquisition suggests a sustained search, thorough and often unrelenting, for hidden facts; it may apply to merciless unremitting volleys of questions
an inquisition into the bankruptcy proceedings
the investigating committee subjecting him to a long inquisition
investigation may apply to a sustained and systematic inquiry, especially of some specific proceeding
an auditor investigation of the reported shortages
the conduct of men in important areas may often be very legitimately subject to properly conducted Congressional investigation — Norman Thomas
by their bullying tactics, by their having turned needed investigations into regrettable inquisitions — John Mason Brown
inquest , once in more general use as a close synonym for inquiry , now usually applies to an investigation, often by a coroner and his jury, into a cause of death or to a similar investigation into something disastrous or troubling
it turned out on a final inquest that the learned lecturer had translated his piece into English — H.J.Laski
it was decided at the inquest that the deceased had committed suicide
an inquest on the fall of Singapore and the sinking of H.M.S. Repulse and H.M.S. Prince of Wales — New Yorker
probe , in this sense, may apply to any deep, painstaking inquiry to discover something wrong or improper
a probe resulting in the disbarring of several attorneys
a probe into improper tax refunds
research applies to careful, prolonged study, especially to uncover new knowledge
research has shown and practice has established the futility of the charge that it was a usurpation when this Court undertook to declare an Act of Congress unconstitutional — O.W.Holmes †1935
the researches … in the 17th century into the theory of probabilities greatly advanced the accuracy of calculations — Encyc. Americana