inquire

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To ask for information about something.

   I called the office to inquire about the job.

2. 2
   verb

   To officially investigate a matter.

   The police are inquiring into the cause of the fire.

From Latin inquīrō (“to seek for”), composed of in- (“in, at, on; into”) + quaerō (“to seek, look for”), of uncertain origin, but possibly from Proto-Italic *kʷaizeō, from Proto-Indo-European *kʷeh₂- (“to acquire”). Displaced Middle English enqueren (from Old French enquerre, of the same source) and native Middle English speir (“ask, inquire”).

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