question

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A sentence asking for information or an answer.

   The teacher asked the students a difficult question.

2. 2
   verb

   To ask someone questions, especially formally.

   The police questioned the witness for an hour.

3. 3
   verb

   To express doubt about something.

   Several experts questioned whether the plan would work.

4. 4
   noun

   A matter or problem that needs to be discussed or decided.

   The question of how to pay for it remains unsolved.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Question entered Middle English through Old French from Latin quaerere, meaning “to ask” or “to seek.” The same Latin verb also gave rise to query and quest.

From Middle English questioun, from Anglo-Norman questiun, from Old French question, from Latin quaestiōnem, accusative of quaestiō (“a seeking, investigation, inquiry, question”), from quaerere (“to seek, ask, inquire”), of uncertain origin, but possibly from Proto-Italic *kʷaizeō, from Proto-Indo-European *kʷeh₂- (“to acquire”). Partially displaced native Old English āscung. Compare also Middle Low German quēstie (“questioning; inquiry”), Middle High German questje (“question”). Cognates include English quest.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary