a. [ Cf. OF. enquerable. ] Capable of being inquired into; subject or liable to inquisition or inquest. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Inquiry. [ Obs. ] Latimer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Inquired p. pr. & vb. n. Inquiring. ] [ OE. enqueren, inqueren, OF. enquerre, F. enquérir, L. inquirere, inquisitum; pref. in- in + quarere to seek. See Quest a seeking, and cf. Inquiry. ] [ Written also enquire. ] 1. To ask a question; to seek for truth or information by putting queries. [ 1913 Webster ]

We will call the damsel, and inquire. Gen. xxiv. 57. [ 1913 Webster ]

Then David inquired of the Lord yet again. And the Lord answered him. 1 Sam. xxiii. 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To seek to learn anything by recourse to the proper means of knowledge; to make examination. [ 1913 Webster ]

And inquire
Gladly into the ways of God with man. Miltom. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This word is followed by of before the person asked; as, to inquire of a neighbor. It is followed by concerning, after, or about, before the subject of inquiry; as, his friends inquired about or concerning his welfare. “Thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.” Eccl. vii. 10. It is followed by into when search is made for particular knowledge or information; as, to inquire into the cause of a sudden death. It is followed by for or after when a place or person is sought, or something is missing. “Inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus.” Acts ix. 11. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To ask about; to seek to know by asking; to make examination or inquiry respecting. [ 1913 Webster ]

Having thus at length inquired the truth concerning law and dispense. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

And all obey and few inquire his will. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To call or name. [ Obs. ] Spenser.

Syn. -- To ask; question. See Question. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. inquirens, p. pr. ] Making inquiry; inquiring; questioning. [ Obs. ] Shenstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Written also enquirer. ] One who inquires or examines; questioner; investigator. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Expert inquirers after truth. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Given to inquiry; disposed to investigate causes; curious; as, an inquiring mind. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an inquiring manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

He could no path nor track of foot descry,
Nor by inquiry learn, nor guess by aim. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

The men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate. Acts x. 17. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Search for truth, information, or knowledge; examination into facts or principles; research; investigation; as, physical inquiries. [ 1913 Webster ]

All that is wanting to the perfection of this art will undoubtedly be found, if able men . . . will make inquiry into it. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]