ENQUIRY • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Enquiry

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noun

Enquiry n. See Inquiry.

Inquiry n. (pl. inquiries) (Written also enquiry)

1.

The act of inquiring; a seeking for information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning. "He could no path nor track of foot descry, Nor by inquiry learn, nor guess by aim." "The men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate."

2.

Search for truth, information, or knowledge; examination into facts or principles; research; investigation; as, physical inquiries. "All that is wanting to the perfection of this art will undoubtedly be found, if able men... will make inquiry into it."

Court of inquiry. See under Court.

Writ of inquiry, a writ issued in certain actions at law, where the defendant has suffered judgment to pass against him by default, in order to ascertain and assess the plaintiff's damages, where they can not readily be ascertained by mere calculation.

Synonyms: Interrogation; interrogatory; question; query; scrutiny; investigation; research; examination.

See images of 'Enquiry'

Etymology of 'Enquiry'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Enquiry" Quotes from Famous Books

... he anticipates it by ripping up his own body rather than be delivered over to the executioner and entailing disgrace and ruin on all his family. There cannot under such a system be anything like judicious legislation founded on enquiry and adapted to the ever-varying circumstances of life. As Government functionaries they lie and practise artifice to save themselves from condemnation by the higher powers: it is their vocation. As private gentlemen they are frank, truthful, ...

— The Empire of the East • H. B. Montgomery

... counsel for want of due assurance: it was that particular visit that was, the next thing, to settle the matter. He had paid the visit to see how much he really cared for her, and quick departure, without so much as an explicit farewell, was the sequel to this enquiry, the answer to which had created within him a deep yearning. When he wrote her from Clarens he noted that he owed her an explanation (more than three months after!) for not having told her what ...

— The Lesson of the Master • Henry James

... thanks for the fish you have been so kind as to send me, and still more for your aid in procuring the carp, and you will further oblige me by presenting my thanks to Capt. Holman & Mr. Ashlin. I have found too late, on enquiry that the cask sent was an old and foul one, and I have no doubt that must have been the cause of the death of the fish. The carp, altho it cannot live the shortest time out of water, yet is understood to bear transportation ...

— The Bounty of the Chesapeake - Fishing in Colonial Virginia • James Wharton

... more important and considerable, is restored by the direct combination of its elements. The formation of nitric acid during thunder storms has been long familiar; but it would appear from the recent experiments of Cloeez, which, should they be confirmed by farther enquiry, will be of much importance, that this compound is also produced without electrical action when air is passed over certain porous substances, saturated with alkaline and earthy compounds. Fragments of calcined brick and pumice stone ...

— Elements of Agricultural Chemistry • Thomas Anderson

... what it was. I've never understood you; I shall never understand you. You had everything you wanted; and you can have it again, and more. What's the matter with me? I ask you a plain question: What is it?" Unconscious of the pathos in that enquiry, he went on passionately: "I'm not lame, I'm not loathsome, I'm not a boor, I'm not a fool. What is it? What's the ...

— Forsyte Saga • John Galsworthy

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