Etimology
From Middle English question, questioun, questiun, from Anglo-Norman questiun, from Old French question, from Latin quaestiōnem, accusative of quaestiō (“a seeking, investigation, inquiry, question”), from quaerere (“to seek, ask, inquire”), of uncertain origin, but possibly from Proto-Italic *kʷaizeō, from Proto-Indo-European *kʷeh₂- (“to acquire”). Partially displaced native Old English āscung. Compare also Middle Low German quēstie (“questioning; inquiry”), Middle High German questje (“question”). Cognates include English quest.
noun
question (plural questions)
A sentence, phrase or word which asks for information, reply or response; an interrogative.
A subject or topic for consideration or investigation.
A doubt or challenge about the truth, accuracy, or validity of a matter.
A proposal to a meeting as a topic for deliberation.
(now archaic, historical, chiefly with definite article) Interrogation by torture.
(obsolete) Talk; conversation; speech.
Examples
I told him about everything I could think of; and what I couldn't think of he did. He asked about six questions during my yarn, but every question had a point to it. At the end he bowed and thanked me once more. As a thanker he was main-truck high; I never see anybody so polite.
Can I ask you two a question? / Please, Christ, yes. / How can you two live like this? / How can... / Don't google the question, Moss!
What is your question?
The question of seniority will be discussed at the meeting.
There was a question of which material to use.
The question of the plausibility of the counter-factual is seen as key in all three discussions of allohistorical fiction .
His claim to the property has come under question.
The story is true beyond question.
He obeyed without question.
There arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
It is to be to question, whether it be lawful for Christian princes or states to make an invasive war, only and simply for the propagation of the faith.
The pandemic has not only caused an immediate fall in ticket revenues for the world’s public transit networks—rail ridership in Barcelona, Moscow, Beijing and New York City at times plummeting 80%—in some cities it also has thrown into question the future of mass urban transportation.
I move that the question be put to a vote.
I, not at all ambitious of the crown of martyrdom, resolved to temporize: so that, when I was brought to the question the second time, I made a solemn recantation […]
The Scottish privy council had power to put state prisoners to the question.
Made she no verbal question?
Related words
synonyms
(interrogative): inquiry, enquiry, query, interrogation
(subject): subject, topic, problem, consideration, proposition
(doubt): issue, doubt
(proposal): proposal
related terms
query
quest
verb
question (third-person singular simple present questions, present participle questioning, simple past and past participle questioned)
(transitive) To ask questions of; to interrogate; to ask for information.
(transitive) To raise doubts about; have doubts about.
(intransitive) To ask a question or questions; inquire or seek to know; examine.
(intransitive, obsolete) To argue; to converse; to dispute.
Examples
Yet he lingered in Perryville with the determination of seeing Ruth, and questioning her about Helen Murray's letters.
However, a Carlisle newspaper got hold of the story, and at the half-yearly meeting of the Caledonian Railway Company, held on March 17, 1863, a shareholder, Mr. Meiklem, questioned the Chairman, Lt.-Col. Salkeld, regarding a "Chase of Engines," described in the newspaper article. The Chairman admitted that the statements made in the article were perfectly true.
Another former resident noticed the car because it was new and upscale and no one ever came back to question him. This points to serious flaws in the investigation from the beginning.
Question things. I have the most fun when I'm writing questioning things that people do not question- the assumptions that everybody knows are true.
He questioned South Korean claims that China is a major source of its pollution. Audio
Audio
He that questioneth much shall learn much.
I pray you, think you question with the Jew.
Related words
synonyms
frain, quaeritate (obsolete)