Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
query [kweer-ee] ExamplesWord Origin noun, plural que·ries.
- a question; an inquiry.
- mental reservation; doubt.
- Printing. a question mark (?), especially as added on a manuscript, proof sheet, or the like, indicating doubt as to some point in the text.
- an inquiry from a writer to an editor of a magazine, newspaper, etc., regarding the acceptability of or interest in an idea for an article, news story, or the like: usually presented in the form of a letter that outlines or describes the projected piece.
verb (used with object), que·ried, que·ry·ing.
- to ask or inquire about: No one queried his presence.
- to question as doubtful or obscure: to query a statement.
- Printing. to mark (a manuscript, proof sheet, etc.) with a query.
- to ask questions of.
Origin of query 1625–35; alteration (cf. -y3) of earlier quere Latin quaere quaere Related formsque·ry·ing·ly, adverbout·que·ry, verb (used with object), out·que·ried, out·que·ry·ing.un·que·ried, adjectiveCan be confusedinquiry queryquarry query Related Words for queries objection, question, questioning, inquiry, reservation, skepticism, inquire, interrogate, quiz, uncertainty, mistrust, interrogation, doubt, suspicion, interrogatory, dubiety, problem, concern, knock, impugn Examples from the Web for queries Contemporary Examples of queries
The U.S. Air Force would not officially comment on the matter and deferred all queries to the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Are Russian Bombers Flying Nuclear Drills Near Europe—Or Just Testing NATO’s Defenses?
Dave Majumdar
October 30, 2014
None of its leaders responded to queries from The Daily Beast.
A Racist’s Crazy Ski Resort Smackdown
James Kirchick
October 18, 2014
A spokesman for the U.S. embassy in Tripoli did not respond to queries.
Jihadists Now Control Secretive U.S. Base in Libya
Eli Lake
April 23, 2014
For the past three years Blogologues has been transforming online posts, rants, and queries into a live-action variety show.
Sex Blogs on Stage: Theater From the Absurd
Emily Shire
April 2, 2014
RONCO has not responded to queries for comment on the contract.
Why the U.S. Paid Karzai’s Top Aide
Eli Lake, Josh Rogin
December 18, 2013
Historical Examples of queries
But it would never have occurred to me to parry her queries.
Harriet Stark
These queries at first blush seem unanswerable, but they are not really so.
Robert John Buckley (AKA R.J.B.)
Notes and Queries may be procured, by order, of all Booksellers and Newsvenders.
Notes and Queries, Number 81, May 17, 1851
Various
Is your master not the person to dictate the answer to these queries?
Charles James Lever
The following particulars are furnished in Notes and Queries, 4th series, vol.
William Andrews
British Dictionary definitions for queries query noun plural -ries
- a question, esp one expressing doubt, uncertainty, or an objection
- a less common name for question mark
verb -ries, -rying or -ried (tr)
- to express uncertainty, doubt, or an objection concerning (something)
- to express as a query”What’s up now?” she queried
- US to put a question to (a person); ask
Word Origin for query C17: from earlier quere, from Latin quaere ask!, from quaerere to seek, inquire Word Origin and History for queries query n.
1530s, quaere “a question,” from Latin quaere “ask,” imperative of quaerere “to seek, look for; strive, endeavor, strive to gain; ask, require, demand;” figuratively “seek mentally, seek to learn, make inquiry,” probably ultimately from PIE *kwo-, root forming the stem of relative and interrogative pronouns (see who). Spelling Englished or altered c.1600 by influence of inquiry.
query v.
“to question,” 1650s, from query (n.). Related: Queried; querying.