question

pronunciation

How to pronounce question in British English: UK [ˈkwestʃən] word uk audio image

How to pronounce question in American English: US [ˈkwestʃən] word us audio image

Noun:

an instance of questioning
the subject matter at issue
a sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply
uncertainty about the truth or factuality of existence of something
a formal proposal for action made to a deliberative assembly for discussion and vote
an informal reference to a marriage proposal
Verb:

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
pose a series of questions to
pose a question
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
place in doubt or express doubtful speculation

Word Origin

question: question: [13] Question is one of a large family of English words that go back to the Latin verb quaerere ‘seek, ask’. Its past participle quaestus formed the basis of a noun, quaestiō, which has become English question. An earlier form of the past participle was quaesītus, and its feminine version quaesīta eventually passed into English via Old French as quest [14]. Other English words from the same source include acquire, conquer, enquire, exquisite, inquest, request, and require; and query [17] is an anglicization of quaere, the imperative form of quaerere.=> acquire, conquer, enquire, exquisite, inquest, query, quest, request, require

question (n.): early 13c., "philosophical or theological problem;" early 14c. as "utterance meant to elicit an answer or discussion," also as "a difficulty, a doubt," from Anglo-French questiun, Old French question "question, difficulty, problem; legal inquest, interrogation, torture," from Latin quaestionem (nominative quaestio) "a seeking, a questioning, inquiry, examining, judicial investigation," noun of action from past participle stem of quaerere "ask, seek" (see query (v.)). No question "undoubtedly" is from mid-15c; no questions asked "accountability not required" is from 1879 (especially in newspaper advertisements seeking the return of something lost or stolen). Question mark is from 1849, sometimes also question stop (1862); figurative use is from 1869. To be out of the question (c. 1700) is to be not pertinent to the subject, hence "not to be considered."

question (v.): late 15c., from question (n.) and from Middle French questionner "ask questions, interrogate, torture" (13c.), from question (n.). Related: Questioned; questioning. Alternative questionize attested from 1847.

vi.