I. ˈkwirē, -ri also -wer-, -wēr- noun
( -es )
Etymology: alteration of earlier quere, quaere, from Latin quaere, imperative of quaerere to seek, gain, obtain, ask
1. : question , inquiry
my query as to the name of the pond — Frances H. Eliot
to answer either query in detail would require an investigation beyond the scope of this appraisal — R.S.Thoman
looking down in dazed and inarticulate query — Kay Boyle
— sometimes used to introduce a question or a debatable proposition
query , if this would be honorable
2. : a question in the mind : doubt
3.
a. or query mark : question mark
b. : a notation (as ? or qy ) written on a printer's proof to question the accuracy of something in the proof
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: alteration of earlier quere, from Latin quaere, imperative of quaerere
1. : to put as a question
“can I buy two tickets?” he queried
2. : to ask questions about especially with an indication of doubt and with desire for a definite, clear, or certain statement or demonstration
standard operating procedure would be to query the order — J.G.Cozzens
3. : to ask questions of especially with a certain formality or with desire for authoritative information
queried some eminent authors for advice — New York Herald Tribune Book Review
4. : to mark with a query
Synonyms: see ask