1 intr. (often foll. by of) seek information; ask a question (of a person).
2 intr. = INQUIRE.
3 intr. (foll. by after, for) ask about a person, a person's health, etc.
4 intr. (foll. by for) ask about the availability of.
5 tr. ask for information as to (enquired my name; enquired whether we were coming).
Derivatives:
enquirer n.
Etymology: ME enquere f. OF enquerre ult. f. L inquirere (as IN-(2), quaerere quaesit- seek)
* * *
enquire, v.(ɛnˈkwaɪə(r))
An alternative form of inquire. The mod. Dicts. give inquire as the standard form, but enquire is still very frequently used, esp. in the sense ‘to ask a question’. For the relation in history and use between the two forms, see inquire. Hence enquirer, enquiry, etc., for which see the forms with in-.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.