question

question · noun¹

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*kʷeh₂-“to acquire”
2. Proto-Italic · derived from*kʷaizeō
3. Latin · derived fromquaestiōnem
4. Old French · derived fromquestion
5. Anglo-Norman · derived fromquestiun
6. Middle English · inherited fromquestioun
7. English todayquestion

From Middle English questioun, from Anglo-Norman questiun, from Old French question, from Latin quaestiōnem, accusative of quaestiō (“a seeking, investigation, inquiry, question”), from quaerere (“to seek, ask, inquire”), of uncertain origin, but possibly from Proto-Italic *kʷaizeō, from Proto-Indo-European *kʷeh₂- (“to acquire”). Doublet of quest. Partially displaced native Old English āscung, whence asking. Compare also Middle Low German quēstie (“questioning; inquiry”), Middle High German questje (“question”).

question · verb²

1. Middle French · derived fromquestionner
2. Middle English · inherited fromquestionen
3. English todayquestion

From Middle English questionen, questyonen, partly from Middle French questionner and partly from the noun.

Words from the same roots