i n|put de|vice (input devices ) N‑COUNT An input device is a piece of computer equipment such as a keyboard which enables you to put information into a computer. [COMPUTING ]
i nput/ou tput
1 N‑UNCOUNT Input/output refers to the information that is passed into or out of a computer. [COMPUTING ]
2 N‑UNCOUNT Input/output refers to the hardware or software that controls the passing of information into or out of a computer. [COMPUTING ] □ … an input/output system.
in|quest / I nkwest/ (inquests )
1 N‑COUNT When an inquest is held, a public official hears evidence about someone's death in order to find out the cause. □ [+ into ] The inquest into their deaths opened yesterday in Enniskillen.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can refer to an investigation by the people involved into the causes of a defeat or failure as an inquest . □ [+ into ] His plea came last night as party chiefs held an inquest into the election disaster.
in|quire / I nkwa I ə r / (inquires , inquiring , inquired ) also enquire
1 VERB If you inquire about something, you ask for information about it. [FORMAL ] □ [V with quote] 'Is something wrong?' he enquired. □ [V + of ] 'Who are you?' he enquired of the first man. □ [V + about ] I rang up to inquire about train times. □ [V wh] He inquired whether there had been any messages for him. □ [V n, V ] He was so impressed that he inquired the young shepherd's name. [Also V + for ]
2 VERB If you inquire into something, you investigate it carefully. □ [V + into ] Inspectors were appointed to inquire into the affairs of the company.
▸ inquire after PHRASAL VERB If you inquire after someone, you ask how they are or what they are doing. [FORMAL ] □ [V P n] Elsie called to inquire after my health.
in|quir|er / I nkwa I ə rə r / (inquirers ) also enquirer
1 N‑COUNT An inquirer is a person who asks for information about something or someone. [FORMAL ] □ I send each inquirer a packet of information.
2 N‑COUNT Inquirer is used in the names of some newspapers and magazines. □ …the National Enquirer.
in|quir|ing / I nkwa I ə r I ŋ/ also enquiring
1 ADJ [ADJ n] If you have an inquiring mind, you have a great interest in learning new things. □ All this helps children to develop an inquiring attitude to learning.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone has an inquiring expression on their face, they are showing that they want to know something. [WRITTEN ] □ …an enquiring glance. ● in|quir|ing|ly ADV □ She looked at me inquiringly. 'Well?'
in|quiry ◆◇◇ / I nkwa I ə ri/ (inquiries ) The spelling enquiry is also used. Inquiry is sometimes pronounced / I ŋkw I ri/ in American English. 1 N‑COUNT An inquiry is a question which you ask in order to get some information. □ He made some inquiries and discovered she had gone to the Continent.
2 N‑COUNT An inquiry is an official investigation. □ [+ into ] The Democratic Party has called for an independent inquiry into the incident.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Inquiry is the process of asking about or investigating something in order to find out more about it. □ The investigation has suddenly switched to a new line of inquiry.
4 → see also court of inquiry COLLOCATIONS inquiry NOUN 2
noun + inquiry : competition, corruption; police; murder
adjective + inquiry : independent, internal, official, public; judicial, parliamentary
inquiry + be + adjective : underway
verb + inquiry : launch, order, set up; carry out, chair, conduct, hold SYNONYMS inquiry NOUN 1
question: The President refused to answer further questions on the subject.
query: If you have any queries, please contact Travel Insurance Services Limited.
investigation: He ordered an investigation into the affair.
in|qui|si|tion / I nkw I z I ʃ ə n/ (inquisitions ) N‑COUNT An inquisition is an official investigation, especially one which is very thorough and uses harsh methods of questioning.
in|quisi|tive / I nkw I z I t I v/ ADJ An inquisitive person likes finding out about things, especially secret things. □ Barrow had an inquisitive nature. ● in|quisi|tive|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ Molly looked at Ann inquisitively. 'Where do you want to go?' ● in|quisi|tive|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ I liked children, loved their innocence and their inquisitiveness.
in|quisi|tor / I nkw I z I tə r / (inquisitors ) N‑COUNT An inquisitor is someone who is asking someone else a series of questions, especially in a rather hostile way or as part of an inquisition.
in|quisi|to|rial / I nkw I z I tɔː ri ə l/ ADJ If you describe something or someone as inquisitorial , you mean they resemble things or people in an inquisition. □ An inquest is an inquisitorial and not an adversarial process.
in|roads / I nroʊdz/ PHRASE If one thing makes inroads into another, the first thing starts affecting or destroying the second. □ [+ into ] In Italy, as elsewhere, television has made deep inroads into cinema.
in|sane / I nse I n/