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9 dictionary results for: question
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
ques·tion 
[kwes-chuhn] Pronunciation Key
—Related forms
[kwes-chuhn] Pronunciation Key –noun
–verb (used with object)
–verb (used without object)
—Idioms
| 1. | a sentence in an interrogative form, addressed to someone in order to get information in reply. |
| 2. | a problem for discussion or under discussion; a matter for investigation. |
| 3. | a matter of some uncertainty or difficulty; problem (usually fol. by of): It was simply a question of time. |
| 4. | a subject of dispute or controversy. |
| 5. | a proposal to be debated or voted on, as in a meeting or a deliberative assembly. |
| 6. | the procedure of putting a proposal to vote. |
| 7. | Politics. a problem of public policy submitted to the voters for an expression of opinion. |
| 8. | Law.
|
| 9. | the act of asking or inquiring; interrogation; query. |
| 10. | inquiry into or discussion of some problem or doubtful matter. |
| 11. | to ask (someone) a question; ask questions of; interrogate. |
| 12. | to ask or inquire. |
| 13. | to make a question of; doubt: He questioned her sincerity. |
| 14. | to challenge or dispute: She questioned the judge's authority in the case. |
| 15. | to ask a question or questions. |
| 16. | beg the question. beg (def. 9). |
| 17. | beyond question, beyond dispute; without doubt: It was, beyond question, a magnificent performance. Also, beyond all question. |
| 18. | call in or into question,
|
| 19. | in question,
|
| 20. | out of the question, not to be considered; unthinkable; impossible: She thought about a trip to Spain but dismissed it as out of the question. |
[Origin: 1250–1300; (n.) ME questio(u)n, questiun < AF questiun, MF question < L quaestiōn- (s. of quaestiō), equiv. to quaes-, s. of quaerere to ask + -tiōn- -tion; (v.) late ME < MF questioner, deriv. of the n.]
] —Related forms
ques·tion·er, noun
—Antonyms 1, 11. answer, reply.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| ques·tion
(kwěs'chən) Pronunciation Key
n.
v. ques·tioned, ques·tion·ing, ques·tions v. tr.
v. intr. To ask questions. [Middle English, from Old French, legal inquiry, from Latin quaestiō, quaestiōn-, from *quaestus, obsolete past participle of quaerere, to ask, seek.] ques'tion·er n., ques'tion·ing·ly adv. |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
question (n.)
question (n.)
c.1300, from Anglo-Fr. questiun, O.Fr. question "legal inquest," from L. quæstionem (nom. quæstio) "a seeking, inquiry," from root of quærere (pp. quæsitus) "ask, seek" (see query). The verb is first recorded 1470, from O.Fr. questionner (13c.). Question mark is from 1869, earlier question stop (1862). Depreciatory sense of questionable is attested from 1806.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| question | |
noun | |
| 1. | an instance of questioning; "there was a question about my training"; "we made inquiries of all those who were present" [ant: answer] |
| 2. | the subject matter at issue; "the question of disease merits serious discussion"; "under the head of minor Roman poets" |
| 3. | a sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply; "he asked a direct question"; "he had trouble phrasing his interrogations" |
| 4. | uncertainty about the truth or factuality or existence of something; "the dubiousness of his claim"; "there is no question about the validity of the enterprise" [syn: doubt] |
| 5. | a formal proposal for action made to a deliberative assembly for discussion and vote; "he made a motion to adjourn"; "she called for the question" [syn: motion] |
| 6. | an informal reference to a marriage proposal; "he was ready to pop the question" |
verb | |
| 1. | challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of; "We must question your judgment in this matter" |
| 2. | pose a series of questions to; "The suspect was questioned by the police"; "We questioned the survivor about the details of the explosion" [syn: interrogate] |
| 3. | pose a question |
| 4. | conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting [syn: interview] |
| 5. | place in doubt or express doubtful speculation; "I wonder whether this was the right thing to do"; "she wondered whether it would snow tonight" [syn: wonder] |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This
question
see ask a stupid question; beg the question; beside the point (question); beyond question; burning question; call in question; in question; leading question; loaded question; open question; out of the question; pop the question; rhetorical question; without question.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: ques·tion
Function: noun
1 : a particular query directed to a witness —compare INTERROGATORY
hy·po·thet·i·cal question
/"hI-p&-'the-ti-k&l/
: a question directed to an expert witness (as a physician) that is based on the existence of facts offered in evidence and the answer to which is an opinion to be considered in light of the evidence
NOTE: Modern rules of evidence have lessened the need for a hypothetical question setting forth all of the facts to be assumed in answering the question. An expert witness may state an opinion based on data or facts considered reliable in his or her field even if not already disclosed or not admissible as evidence.
leading question
: a question so framed or presented as to suggest a particular answer <leading questions should not be used on the direct examination of a witness except as may be necessary to develop his testimony —Federal Rules of Evidence Rule 611(c)>
NOTE: Leading questions are permitted in direct examination of an adverse witness or one who is a child or has a communication disorder. They are ordinarily permitted in cross-examination.
2 : a particular matter or issue that is in dispute, uncertain, or to be inquired into
certified question
1 : a question of state law that may determine the outcome of a case pending in a federal court and that is submitted by the federal court to the state's highest court when there is no controlling state precedent
2 : a question of law submitted to a federal or state court by a lower court or tribunalcertified question>
federal question
: a question that falls under the jurisdiction of a federal court because it requires a resolution of the construction or application of federal law —see also federal question jurisdiction at JURISDICTION
po·lit·i·cal question
: a question that the court declines to consider because it involves a political matter that is not justiciable without infringing on the powers of the executive or legislative branch or is not accompanied by guiding policy or discoverable and manageable standards for resolving it —see also POLITICAL QUESTION DOCTRINE
question of fact
: a question that depends on an examination of factual matters, is usually decided by a jury, and is usually not considered on appeal
question of law
: a question that depends on an examination of law rather than fact, is decided by a judge rather than by a jury, and may be examined on appeal
3 : a proposition submitted to a vote (as in a referendum)
Main Entry: ques·tion
Function: noun
1 : a particular query directed to a witness —compare INTERROGATORY
hy·po·thet·i·cal question
/"hI-p&-'the-ti-k&l/
: a question directed to an expert witness (as a physician) that is based on the existence of facts offered in evidence and the answer to which is an opinion to be considered in light of the evidence
NOTE: Modern rules of evidence have lessened the need for a hypothetical question setting forth all of the facts to be assumed in answering the question. An expert witness may state an opinion based on data or facts considered reliable in his or her field even if not already disclosed or not admissible as evidence.
leading question
: a question so framed or presented as to suggest a particular answer <leading questions should not be used on the direct examination of a witness except as may be necessary to develop his testimony —Federal Rules of Evidence Rule 611(c)>
NOTE: Leading questions are permitted in direct examination of an adverse witness or one who is a child or has a communication disorder. They are ordinarily permitted in cross-examination.
2 : a particular matter or issue that is in dispute, uncertain, or to be inquired into
certified question
1 : a question of state law that may determine the outcome of a case pending in a federal court and that is submitted by the federal court to the state's highest court when there is no controlling state precedent
2 : a question of law submitted to a federal or state court by a lower court or tribunal
federal question
: a question that falls under the jurisdiction of a federal court because it requires a resolution of the construction or application of federal law —see also federal question jurisdiction at JURISDICTION
po·lit·i·cal question
: a question that the court declines to consider because it involves a political matter that is not justiciable without infringing on the powers of the executive or legislative branch or is not accompanied by guiding policy or discoverable and manageable standards for resolving it —see also POLITICAL QUESTION DOCTRINE
question of fact
: a question that depends on an examination of factual matters, is usually decided by a jury, and is usually not considered on appeal
question of law
: a question that depends on an examination of law rather than fact, is decided by a judge rather than by a jury, and may be examined on appeal
3 : a proposition submitted to a vote (as in a referendum)
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Question
Ques"tion\, n. [F., fr. L. quaestio, fr. quaerere, quaesitum, to seek for, ask, inquire. See Quest, n.]1. The act of asking; interrogation; inquiry; as, to examine by question and answer. 2. Discussion; debate; hence, objection; dispute; doubt; as, the story is true beyond question; he obeyed without question. There arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. -- John iii. 25. It is to be to question, whether it be lawful for Christian princes to make an invasive war simply for the propagation of the faith. -- Bacon. 3. Examination with reference to a decisive result; investigation; specifically, a judicial or official investigation; also, examination under torture. --Blackstone. He that was in question for the robbery. Shak. The Scottish privy council had power to put state prisoners to the question. --Macaulay. 4. That which is asked; inquiry; interrogatory; query. But this question asked Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain ? --Milton. 5. Hence, a subject of investigation, examination, or debate; theme of inquiry; matter to be inquired into; as, a delicate or doubtful question. 6. Talk; conversation; speech; speech. [Obs.] --Shak. In question, in debate; in the course of examination or discussion; as, the matter or point in question. Leading question. See under Leading. Out of question, unquestionably. "Out of question, 't is Maria's hand." --Shak. Out of the question. See under Out. Past question, beyond question; certainly; undoubtedly; unquestionably. Previous question, a question put to a parliamentary assembly upon the motion of a member, in order to ascertain whether it is the will of the body to vote at once, without further debate, on the subject under consideration. Note: The form of the question is: "Shall the main question be now put?" If the vote is in the affirmative, the matter before the body must be voted upon as it then stands, without further general debate or the submission of new amendments. In the House of Representatives of the United States, and generally in America, a negative decision operates to keep the business before the body as if the motion had not been made; but in the English Parliament, it operates to postpone consideration for the day, and until the subject may be again introduced. In American practice, the object of the motion is to hasten action, and it is made by a friend of the measure. In English practice, the object is to get rid of the subject for the time being, and the motion is made with a purpose of voting against it. --Cushing. To beg the question. See under Beg. To the question, to the point in dispute; to the real matter under debate. Syn: Point; topic; subject.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Question
Ques"tion\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Questioned; p. pr. & vb. n. Questioning.] [Cf. F. questionner. See Question, n.]1. To ask questions; to inquire. He that questioneth much shall learn much. --Bacon. 2. To argue; to converse; to dispute. [Obs.] I pray you, think you question with the Jew. --Shak.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Question
Ques"tion\, v. t. 1. To inquire of by asking questions; to examine by interrogatories; as, to question a witness. 2. To doubt of; to be uncertain of; to query. And most we question what we most desire. --Prior. 3. To raise a question about; to call in question; to make objection to. "But have power and right to question thy bold entrance on this place." --Milton. 4. To talk to; to converse with. With many holiday and lady terms he questioned me. -- Shak. Syn: To ask; interrogate; catechise; doubt; controvert; dispute. Usage: Question, Inquire, Interrogate. To inquire is merely to ask for information, and implies no authority in the one who asks. To interrogate is to put repeated questions in a formal or systematic fashion to elicit some particular fact or facts. To question has a wider sense than to interrogate, and often implies an attitude of distrust or opposition on the part of the questioner.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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