inquiry English · revision 6607

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=early 15th century}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɪnˈkwaɪəɹi/, /ɪŋ-/ ''(UK)''; /ɪnˈkwaɪ(ə)ɹi/, /ˈɪnkwɪɹi/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English enquery, probably from an Anglo-French noun formed from enqueren, to [[inquire]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) or formed in English from inquire and [[-y]].^(SOED 2002) It was respelled with in- from the mid-16th century to follow Latin.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A judicial examination of facts: the early 15th century in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) the OED has the action of seeking truth or information from about 1440.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The general sense, an attempt to learn something, is from the mid-15th century.^(Etymonline) A course of investigation is from 1548,^(OED 1989) and questioning or a single question from 1565 and 1548.^(OED 1989) In law, a ''writ of inquiry'' summoned a jury to investigate a matter (1588).^(OED 1989) A formal public investigation into a matter of public concern is a later use, as ''public inquiry'' (1873).^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * early 15th century – a judicial examination.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1440 – seeking information.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1548 – an investigation; a question.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1873 – public inquiry.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A request for information; a [[question]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An official investigation, especially into a matter of public concern.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The act of seeking knowledge or information; [[investigation]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[court of inquiry]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[inquire]]

+ * [[enquiry]]

+ * [[enquire]]

+ * [[inquest]]

+ * [[query]]

+ * [[question]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ British English often uses ''enquiry'' for a question and ''inquiry'' for a formal investigation, though both spellings are used for both.^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}