INQUIRY

inquiry, enquiry

(noun) a systematic investigation of a matter of public interest

inquiry, enquiry, research

(noun) a search for knowledge; “their pottery deserves more research than it has received”

question, inquiry, enquiry, query, interrogation

(noun) an instance of questioning; “there was a question about my training”; “we made inquiries of all those who were present”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

inquiry (countable and uncountable, plural inquiries)

The act of inquiring; a seeking of information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning.

Search for truth, information, or knowledge; examination of facts or principles; research; investigation

Usage notes

According to Fowler's Modern English Usage (1926), inquiry should be used in relation to a formal inquest, and enquiry to the act of questioning. Many (though not all) British writers maintain this distinction; the Oxford English Dictionary, in its entry not updated since 1900, lists inquiry and enquiry as equal alternatives, in that order. Some British dictionaries, such as Chambers 21st Century Dictionary , present the two spellings as interchangeable variants in the general sense, but prefer inquiry for the "formal inquest" sense. In Australian English, inquiry represents a formal inquest (such as a government investigation) while enquiry is used in the act of questioning (eg: the customer enquired about the status of his loan application). Both spellings are current in Canadian English, where enquiry is often associated with scholarly or intellectual research. (See Pam Peters, The Cambridge Guide to English Usage, p. 282.)

American English usually uses inquiry.

Source: Wiktionary

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In*quir"y, n.; pl. Inquiries. Etym: [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 knoledge; examination into facts or principles; research; invextigation; 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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