question

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Discussion; debate; hence, objection; dispute; doubt; as, the story is true beyond question; he obeyed without question. [ 1913 Webster ]

There arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. John iii. 25. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Examination with reference to a decisive result; investigation; specifically, a judicial or official investigation; also, examination under torture. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

He that was in question for the robbery. Shak.
The Scottish privy council had power to put state prisoners to the question. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. That which is asked; inquiry; interrogatory; query. [ 1913 Webster ]

But this question asked
Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain ? Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Hence, a subject of investigation, examination, or debate; theme of inquiry; matter to be inquired into; as, a delicate or doubtful question. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Talk; conversation; speech; speech. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Point; topic; subject. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To inquire of by asking questions; to examine by interrogatories; as, to question a witness. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To doubt of; to be uncertain of; to query. [ 1913 Webster ]

And most we question what we most desire. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To talk to; to converse with. [ 1913 Webster ]

With many holiday and lady terms he questioned me. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To ask; interrogate; catechise; doubt; controvert; dispute. -- 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or condition of being questionable. Stallo. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Admitting of being questioned; inviting, or seeming to invite, inquiry. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou com'st in such a questionable shape
That I will speak to thee. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Liable to question; subject to be doubted or called in question; problematical; doubtful; suspicious. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is questionable whether Galen ever saw the dissection of a human body.T. Baker. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Disputable; debatable; uncertain; doubtful; problematical; suspicious. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being questionable, doubtful, or suspicious. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a questionable manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who makes it his business to seek after relics and carry them about for sale. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A set of questions for submission to a group of persons for the purpose of bringing out their resemblances and differences in the matter considered. The questionary method is a recognized form of psychological investigation. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. Inquiring; asking questions; testing. “Questionary epistles.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]