Question | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Quĕs'tion, n.

noun

(kwĕs'tyun, 66), n. [Fr. question, Pr. questio, Sp. cuestion, It. questione, quistione, Lat. questio, from quærere, quæsītum, to seek for, ask, inquire.]

The act of asking; interrogation; inquiry; examination; as, to examine by question and answer.
Discussion; debate; hence, dispute; verbal contest.

It is to be put to question, whether it is lawful for Christian princes to make an invasive war simply for the propagation of the faith. Bacon.

Examination with reference to a decisive result; investigation; and specifically, judicial or official inquiry; formal investigation as before a tribunal; trial. “He that was in question for the robbery.” Shak.
Hence, examination under infliction of bodily pain; torture. Blackstone.
That which is asked; an inquiry; an interrogatory; a query.

But this question asked, puts me in doubt. Milton. 6. Hence, a subject of investigation or examination; theme of inquiry; matter to be inquired into or respecting. In question, in debate; in the course of examination or discussion; as, the matter or point in question. — Leading question, a question which suggests to a witness, or person questioned, the answer it is desired he should make. Wharton. — Out of the question, not worthy of, or requiring, consideration; quite impossible. “Out of question, ’tis Maria’s hand.” Shak. — Past question, beyond question; out of question; certainly; undoubtedly; unquestionably. — Previous question, the question put to a parliamentary assembly previously to the putting of the principal question; namely, “Shall the main question be now put?” Calling for the previous question cuts off further debate till and unless it be negatived.

Quĕs'tion, v. i.

verbintransitive

(kwĕst'yun), v. i. [imp. & p. p. QUESTIONED; p. pr. & vb. n. QUESTIONING.] [Fr. questionner, Pr. questionar, Sp. cuestionar, It. questionare, quistionare. See supra.]

Sense 1. To ask a question or questions; to inquire by interrogatory or proposition to be answered.

He that questioneth much shall learn much. Bacon.

Sense 2. To debate by interrogatories. Shak.

Quēs'tion, v. t.

verbtransitive

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 treat as not entitled to confidence, or as not to be allowed; to call in question. “To question thy bold entrance on this place.” Milton. Syn.—To ask; interrogate; catechise; doubt; controvert; dispute.—QUESTION, INQUIRE, INTERROGATE. We inquire for the sake of information; as, to inquire one's way. We question with closeness in order to gain the whole truth; as, to question a messenger as to all the particulars. We interrogate by asking questions repeatedly, and often with authority; as, to interrogate a witness or a culprit. You have oft inquired After the shepherd that complained of love. Shak. Suddenly, out of this delightful dream, The man awoke, and would have questioned more; But he would not endure the woful theme. Spenser. The traveler, whoever he might be, coming to the fortified habitation, would probably have been interrogated from the battlements, admitted with caution at the gate, introduced to a petty monarch fierce with habitual hostility, and vigilant with ignorant suspicion. Johnson.