Syn. -- To ask; question. See Question.
In*quir"ent (?), a. [L. inquirens, p. pr.] Making inquiry; inquiring;
questioning. [Obs.] Shenstone.
In*quir"er (?), n. [Written also enquirer.] One who inquires or
examines; questioner; investigator. Locke.
Expert inquirers after truth.
Cowper.
In*quir"ing, a. Given to inquiry; disposed to investigate causes;
curious; as, an inquiring mind.
In*quir"ing*ly, adv. In an inquiring manner.
In*quir"y (?), n.; pl. Inquiries (#). [See Inquire.] [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.
Spenser.
The men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's
house, and stood before the gate.
Acts x. 17.
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.
Dryden.
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. Burrill.
Syn. -- Interrogation; interrogatory; question; query; scrutiny;
investigation; research; examination.
In*quis"i*ble (?), a. Admitting judicial inquiry. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.
In`qui*si"tion (?), n. [L. inquisitio : cf. F. inquisition. See
Inquire, and cf. Inquest.] 1. The act of inquiring; inquiry; search;
examination; inspection; investigation.
As I could learn through earnest inquisition.
Latimer.
Let not search and inquisition quail To bring again these foolish
runaways.
Shak.
2. (Law) (a) Judicial inquiry; official examination; inquest. (b) The
finding of a jury, especially such a finding under a writ of inquiry.
Bouvier.
The justices in eyre had it formerly in charge to make inquisition
concerning them by a jury of the county.
Blackstone.
3. (R. C. Ch.) A court or tribunal for the examination and punishment
of heretics, fully established by Pope Gregory IX. in 1235. Its
operations were chiefly confined to Spain, Portugal, and their
dependencies, and a part of Italy.
In`qui*si"tion, v. t. To make inquisition concerning; to inquire into.
[Obs.] Milton.
In`qui*si"tion*al (?), a. [LL. inquisitionalis.] Relating to inquiry or
inquisition; inquisitorial; also, of or pertaining to, or
characteristic of, the Inquisition.
All the inquisitional rigor . . . executed upon books.
Milton.
In`qui*si"tion*a*ry, (&?;), a. [Cf. F. inquisitionnaire.] [R.]
Inquisitional.
In*quis"i*tive (?), a. [OE. inquisitif, F. inquisitif.] 1. Disposed to
ask questions, especially in matters which do not concern the inquirer.
A wise man is not inquisitive about things impertinent.
Broome.
2. Given to examination, investigation, or research; searching;
curious.
A young, inquisitive, and sprightly genius.