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questioning - 4 dictionary results

ques⋅tion⋅ing

[kwes-chuh-ning]
–adjective
1. indicating or implying a question: a questioning tone in her voice.
2. characterized by or indicating intellectual curiosity; inquiring: an alert and questioning mind.
–noun
3. an inquiry or interrogation.

Origin:
1795–1805; question + -ing 2 , -ing 1


ques⋅tion⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

ques⋅tion

[kwes-chuhn]
–noun
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.
a. a controversy that is submitted to a judicial tribunal or administrative agency for decision.
b. the interrogation by which information is secured.
c. Obsolete. judicial examination or trial.
9. the act of asking or inquiring; interrogation; query.
10. inquiry into or discussion of some problem or doubtful matter.
–verb (used with object)
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.
–verb (used without object)
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,
a. to dispute; challenge.
b. to cast doubt upon; question: This report calls into question all previous research on the subject.
19. in question,
a. under consideration.
b. in dispute.
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.


ques⋅tion⋅er, noun


1. inquiry, query, interrogation. 11. query, examine. 12. See inquire.


1, 11. answer, reply.
ques·tion   (kwěs'chən)   
n.  
    1. An expression of inquiry that invites or calls for a reply.
    2. An interrogative sentence, phrase, or gesture.
    3. A proposition brought up for consideration by an assembly.
    4. The act of bringing a proposal to vote.
  1. A subject or point open to controversy; an issue.
  2. A difficult matter; a problem: a question of ethics.
  3. A point or subject under discussion or consideration.
    1. A proposition brought up for consideration by an assembly.
    2. The act of bringing a proposal to vote.
  4. Uncertainty; doubt: There is no question about the validity of the enterprise.
v.   ques·tioned, ques·tion·ing, ques·tions

v.   tr.
  1. To put a question to. See Synonyms at ask.
  2. To examine (a witness, for example) by questioning; interrogate.
  3. To express doubt about; dispute.
  4. To analyze; examine.
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.

questioning

in law, the interrogation of a witness by attorneys or by a judge. In Anglo-American proceedings an examination usually begins with direct examination (called examination in chief in England) by the party who called the witness. After direct examination the attorney for the other party may conduct a cross-examination of the same witness, usually designed to cause him to explain, modify, or possibly contradict the testimony he provided on direct examination. It may be followed by redirect examination and even, in some U.S. jurisdictions, by re-cross-examination.

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