inquiry etymology

Etymology

The word "inquiry" comes from the Middle English word "enqueren," which is derived from the Old French word "enquerre," meaning "to seek," "to ask," or "to investigate." The Old French word is, in turn, derived from the Late Latin word "inquirere," which means "to seek into" or "to examine."

Meaning and Origin

The meaning of "inquiry" has evolved over time. In its earliest sense, it referred to the act of seeking information or knowledge. By the 16th century, it had come to specifically mean an investigation or examination, often one conducted by an authority figure or a committee.

Today, "inquiry" is used in a variety of contexts to refer to the act of seeking or gathering information, or to the process of investigating or examining something. It can be used in a formal context, such as a scientific or legal inquiry, or in a more informal context, such as an inquiry into one's own beliefs or values.

inquiry relate terms

• inquire

  Etymology Inquire comes from the Old French word enquerre which in turn derives from

• query

  Etymology The word query originated in the late 14th century from the Old French word

• enquire

  Etymology Middle English enquerre from Anglo Norman French enquerre enquere Old Fren

• inquiring

  Etymology The word inquiring comes from the following roots Latin inquiro meanin

• enquiry

  Etymology The word enquiry is derived from the Old French word enquerre which in tu

• inquiry

  Etymology The word inquiry comes from the Middle English word enqueren which is deri

• enquire

  Etymology Middle English enquerre from Anglo Norman French enquerre enquere Old Fren

• question

  Etymology Question comes from the Latin word quaestio meaning inquiry investigatio

• query

  Etymology The word query originated in the late 14th century from the Old French word

• inquest

  Etymology From Middle English inqueste from Old French enqueste from Vulgar Latin inq

• quest

  Etymology and Meaning Quest comes from the Old French word queste or queste which

• disquisition

  Etymology Dis prefix apart away from Quaerere Latin verb to seek inquire Mea

• method

  Etymology The word method comes from the Greek word methodos which means way to a g

• probe

  Etymology The word probe comes from the Latin word probare which means to test exa

• poll

  Etymology The word poll has several etymological origins Latin capita meaning h

• interrogation

  Etymology Latin interrogare inter among between rogare to ask Meaning