ENQUIRY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does enquiry mean? 

• ENQUIRY (noun)
  The noun ENQUIRY has 3 senses:

1. an instance of questioning

2. a search for knowledge

3. a systematic investigation of a matter of public interest

  Familiarity information: ENQUIRY used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ENQUIRY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An instance of questioning

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

enquiry; inquiry; interrogation; query; question

Context example:

we made inquiries of all those who were present

Hypernyms ("enquiry" is a kind of...):

inquiring; questioning (a request for information)

Derivation:

enquire (address a question to and expect an answer from)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A search for knowledge

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

enquiry; inquiry; research

Context example:

their pottery deserves more research than it has received

Hypernyms ("enquiry" is a kind of...):

problem solving (the thought processes involved in solving a problem)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "enquiry"):

nature study (the study of animals and plants in the natural world (usually at an elementary level))

experiment; experimentation (the testing of an idea)

empirical research (an empirical search for knowledge)

investigation; probe (an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities)

canvass; opinion poll; poll; public opinion poll (an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people)

heraldry (the study and classification of armorial bearings and the tracing of genealogies)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A systematic investigation of a matter of public interest

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

enquiry; inquiry

Hypernyms ("enquiry" is a kind of...):

investigating; investigation (the work of inquiring into something thoroughly and systematically)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "enquiry"):

means test (an inquiry into the financial position of someone applying for financial aid)

inquest (an inquiry into the cause of an unexpected death)

Derivation:

enquire (conduct an inquiry or investigation of)

 Context examples 

I have made no enquiries, because I concluded you must have been obliged to give up the party.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

But they learnt, on enquiry, that its possessor, an elderly lady of very good character, was unfortunately too infirm to mix with the world, and never stirred from home.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Mutual enquiries on common subjects passed: neither of them, probably, much the wiser for what they heard, and Anne continuing fully sensible of his being less at ease than formerly.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

As soon as they were out of the house, his enquiries began.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Anne did not receive the perfect conviction which the Admiral meant to convey, but it would have been useless to press the enquiry farther.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Supposing it possible that they are not engaged, what distress would not such an enquiry inflict!

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

With regard to Captain Wentworth, though Anne hazarded no enquiries, there was voluntary communication sufficient.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Marianne's preserver, as Margaret, with more elegance than precision, styled Willoughby, called at the cottage early the next morning to make his personal enquiries.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

She boldly acknowledged herself flattered, and continued her enquiries.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

After a short silence which succeeded the first surprise and enquiries of meeting, Marianne asked Edward if he came directly from London.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)