in·quir·y (ĭn-kwīŕē, ĭńkwīŕē, ĭńkwə-rē, ĭnǵ-), also en·quir·y (ĕn-kwīŕē, ĕńkwə-rē)
noun: pl., -ies, also -ies
The act of inquiring.
A question; a query.
A close examination of a matter in a search for information or truth.
synonyms:
inquiry, inquest, inquisition, investigation, probe, research These nouns denote a quest for knowledge, data, or truth: filed an inquiry about the lost shipment; holding an inquest to determine the cause of his death; an inquisition into her political activities; a criminal investigation; a probe into alleged police corruption; scientific research.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition