INQUIRE
wonder, inquire, enquire
(verb) have a wish or desire to know something; “He wondered who had built this beautiful church”
investigate, inquire, enquire
(verb) conduct an inquiry or investigation of; “The district attorney’s office investigated reports of possible irregularities”; “inquire into the disappearance of the rich old lady”
ask, inquire, enquire
(verb) address a question to and expect an answer from; “Ask your teacher about trigonometry”; “The children asked me about their dead grandmother”; “I inquired about their special today”; “He had to ask directions several times”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Verb
inquire (third-person singular simple present inquires, present participle inquiring, simple past and past participle inquired) (ambitransitive)
(intransitive, US) To ask (about something).
(intransitive) To make an inquiry or an investigation.
(transitive, obsolete) To call; to name.
Usage notes
• In British English, the spelling enquire is more common, with inquire often reserved for official inquests. In Canada and the US, both spellings are acceptable, though inquire is favored. In Australian English, inquire is preferred in all contexts.
Synonyms
• frain (dialect or obsolete)
Source: Wiktionary
In*quire", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Inquired; p. pr. & vb. n. Inquiring.]
Etym: [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.
We will call the damsel, and inquire. Gen. xxiv. 57.
Then David inquired of the Lord yet again. And the Lord answered him.
1 Sam. xxiii. 4.
2. To seek to learn anything by recourse to the proper means of
knoledge; to make examination.
And inquire Gladly into the ways of God with man. Miltom.
Note: 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.
In*quire", v. t.
1. To ask about; to seek to know by asking; to make examination or
inquiry respecting.
Having thus at length inquired the truth concerning law and dispense.
Milton.
And all obey and few inquire his will. Byron.
2. To call or name. [Obs.] Spenser.
Syn.
– To ask; question. See Question.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition