| / English Dictionary |
INQUIRING
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A request for information
Synonyms:
inquiring; questioning
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("inquiring" is a kind of...):
asking; request (the verbal act of requesting)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "inquiring"):
challenge (questioning a statement and demanding an explanation)
enquiry; inquiry; interrogation; query; question (an instance of questioning)
examination; interrogation; interrogatory (formal systematic questioning)
Derivation:
inquire (conduct an inquiry or investigation of)
inquire (address a question to and expect an answer from)
II. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Given to inquiry
Example:
an inquiring mind
Classified under:
Similar:
fact-finding; investigative; investigatory (designed to find information or ascertain facts)
inquisitive (inquiring or appearing to inquire)
inquisitorial (having the authority to conduct official investigations)
inquisitorial (marked by inquisitive interest; especially suggestive of an ecclesiastical inquisitor)
inquisitory; probing; searching (diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation)
Also:
curious (eager to investigate and learn or learn more (sometimes about others' concerns))
Antonym:
uninquiring (not inquiring)
III. (verb)
Sense 1
-ing form of the verb inquire
Context examples:
By the way, said the landlord in conclusion, you are not the only friend of Lady Frances Carfax who is inquiring after her just now.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
This prince took a pleasure in conversing with me, inquiring into the manners, religion, laws, government, and learning of Europe; wherein I gave him the best account I was able.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
Percy has been inquiring for you all morning.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
When father died, we were left very poor, but one day we were told that there was an advertisement in The Times, inquiring for our whereabouts.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
I came in by train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me here.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
It did not seem as if the subject of his address were of great importance; indeed, from his pointing, it sometimes appeared as if he were only inquiring his way; but the moon shone on his face as he spoke, and the girl was pleased to watch it, it seemed to breathe such an innocent and old-world kindness of disposition, yet with something high too, as of a well-founded self-content.
(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
The terrified general pronounced the name of Allen with an inquiring look; and here too Thorpe had learnt his error.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
“Littimer is a greater fool than I thought him, to have been inquiring for me at all,” said Steerforth, jovially pouring out a glass of wine, and drinking to me.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
I merely called, because I would not pass the door without inquiring after Mrs. Bates; but I have been so pleasantly detained!
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
Darcy, after inquiring of her how Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner did, a question which she could not answer without confusion, said scarcely anything.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
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