Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IN-QUIRE', v.t. [Fr. enquerir; Sp. inquirir; L. inquiro; in and quæro, to seek; Malayan, charee, to seek. See Acquire.]

1. To ask a question; to seek for truth or information by asking questions. We will call the damsel and inquire at her mouth. Gen. xxiv. It has of before the person asked. Inquire of them, or of him. It has of, concerning, or after, before the subject of inquiry. He sent Hadoram, his son, to king David to inquire of his welfare. 1 Chron. xviii. For thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this. Eccl. vii. When search is to be made for particular knowledge or information, it is followed by into. The coroner by jury inquires into the cause of a sudden death. When a place or person is sought, or something hid or missing, for is commonly used. Inquire for one Saul of Tarsus. He was inquiring for the house to which he was directed. Inquire for the cloke that is lost. Inquire for the right road. Sometimes it is followed by after. Inquire after the right way. When some general information is sought, this verb is followed by about; sometimes by concerning. His friends inquired about him; they inquired concerning his welfare.
2. To seek for truth by argument or the discussion of questions, or by investigation. To inquire into, to make examination; to seek for particular information. Inquire into the time, manner and place. Inquire into all the circumstances of the case.