A request for information or an investigation into a particular matter, often formal or systematic in nature.
From Old French 'enquerre', from Latin 'inquirere' meaning 'to seek into, investigate'. The British English spelling preserves the French influence, while American English simplified it to 'inquiry'.
Parliamentary enquiries and judicial enquiries represent some of the most formal uses of this word, where systematic investigation seeks truth or accountability. The word carries more weight than a simple 'question' - it implies serious investigation.
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