Also 4 questiun, 4–6 -oun, questyon, (4 qw-, 5 -one, -oun), 5 whestion. [a. AF. questiun, OF. question (Godef.), ad. L. quæstiōn-em, n. of action from quærĕre to ask, inquire: cf. QUÆRE, QUERY.]
I. The action of inquiring or asking.
1. The stating or investigation of a problem; inquiry into a matter; discussion of some doubtful point. † To make question, to raise discussion or talk, to express or entertain doubt (whether, of, about). Obs.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, I. 249. Than mayss clerkis questioun … Quhethir he his lordis neid suld let.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 1656. Peples … holdynge hir question Dyuynynge of thise Thebane knyghtes two.
1447. Bokenham, Seyntys (Roxb.), 2. If be what or why Be questyoun maad of thys tretyhs [etc.].
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. 592. Qvestyon was made theror before the marshalles.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., I. i. 5. The … vnquiet time Did push it out of farther question.
1638. R. Baker, trans. Balzac’s Lett., II. 102. Let us … never make question whether we ought to call them infirmities of age, or fruits of reason.
1778. F. Burney, Evelina, xxxiv. As to consulting you … it was out of all question.
1824. J. Marshall, Const. Opin. (1839), 311. We cannot perceive how the occupation of these vessels can be drawn into question.
1886. Ruskin, Præterita, I. vi. 185. [My father] allowed it without question.
b. In adverbial phrases, as Beyond (all) question, out of, past, without question: Unquestionably.
1586. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., 189. Out of question we will judge those men verie blinde.
1601. Shaks., Twel. N., I. iii. 104. And. Why, would that haue mended my haire? To. Past question.
1680–90. Temple, Ess., Heroic Virtue, Wks. 1731, I. 212. He was without Question, a Great and Heroick Genius.
1756. Burke, Vind. Nat. Soc., Wks. 1842, I. 5. In the state of nature, without question, mankind was subjected to many and great inconveniences.
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. V. viii. 684. He is beyond all question the most eminent of the chief rulers.
1880. L. Stephen, Pope, v. 118. The Dunciad, indeed, is beyond all question full of coarse abuse.
c. † In question, in dispute, in controversy; in a doubtful or undecided state. Obs. So also with into and in = into; chiefly, and now only, in phr. to call in question: see CALL v. 18.
1390. in Rec. Coldingham Priory (Surtees), 65. That yhour richte be na mare putt in questioun.
1494. Fabyan, Chron. (1533), VII. ccxxxii. 158 b. A longe whyle thys fyghte stode in questyon, whyther partye shulde obteyne vyctorye.
1513. More, in Grafton, Chron. (1568), II. 769. If it fortune the Crowne to come in question. Ibid. (1529), Dyaloge, I. Wks. 123/2. The thynge standinge in debate and question.
1565. Jewel, Def. Apol. (1611), 324. How could these so doubtfull matters euer haue fallen in question amongst your fellowes.
1620. J. Wilkinson, Coroners & Sherifes, 13. It hath beene in question and ambiguity.
1683. Dryden, Life Plutarch, in P.’s Lives (1700), I. 18. The Pyrrhonians … who bring all certainty in Question.
1720. Waterland, Eight Serm., 138. Which is supposing the Thing in Question.
1768. T. Pownall, Admin. Brit. Col. (1774), I. 5. A right to call into question some … exertions of power.
d. In question, under consideration, forming the subject of discourse. To come into question, to be thought of as possible.
1611. Shaks., Cymb., I. i. 34. His Father … had (besides this Gentleman in question) Two other Sonnes.
1653. Dorothy Osborne, Lett. to Sir W. Temple (1888), 100. After dinner we sit and talk till Mr. B. comes in question, and then I am gone.
1775. Sheridan, Rivals, II. i. He does not think his friend … ever saw the lady in question.
1831. Mackintosh, Hist. Eng., II. 96. The very ill-fated man in question was John de la Pole.
1874. Stubbs, Const. Hist., I. i. 7. The succession of masters was too rapid to allow a change of language to come into question among the greater … part of the people.
1893. Traill, Soc. Eng., Introd. p. xxxvi. Discoveries of a far-reaching … character, have during the period in question been made.
2. The action of questioning, interrogating, or examining a person, or the fact of being questioned, etc.; † hence, talk, discourse.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 1013. Ferst he let the Prestes take,… He put hem into questioun.
1456. Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 185. He aw nocht to be stoppit, bot frely to have passage throu all realmes but questioun.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., IV. i. 346. Ile stay no longer question. Ibid. (1605), Macb., III. iv. 118. Ross. What sights, my Lord? La. I pray you speake not … Question enrages him.
1600. Locke, Govt., II. ii. § 13. One Man … may do … whatever he pleases, without the least question or controll.
1849. M. Arnold, Sonnets, Shaksp. Others abide our question. Thou art free.
1869. Tennyson, Coming Arthur, 311. Fixing full eyes of question on her face.
b. spec. The application of torture as part of a judicial examination.
1583. Exec. for Treason (1675), 12. No one was called to any capital or bloody question upon matters of Religion.
1651. Evelyn, Mem. (1857), I. 275. A malefactor was to have the question, or torture, given to him.
1689. Burnet, Tracts, I. 80. The common Question that they give … is, that they tye the Hands of the suspected Persons behind his back [etc.].
1761. Hume, Hist. Eng., III. li. 110. He urged too, that Felton should be put to the question in order to extort from him a discovery of his accomplices.
1871. H. Ainsworth, Tower Hill, III. xix. Let him be submitted to the question, ordinary and extraordinary.
† c. In question: Under judicial examination; on trial. Obs. rare.
1589. Horsey, Trav. (Hakluyt Soc.), App. 330. John Chapele … was … ymprisoned almost a yeare, in question to have bene executed.
1597. Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., I. ii. 68. He that was in question for the robbery.
d. To call in († or into) question: To examine judicially, bring to trial; to take to task, call to account.
1611. Bible, Acts xix. 40. We are in danger to be called in question for this dayes vprore.
a. 1641. Bp. Mountagu, Acts & Mon. (1642), 59. Socrates … was called into question, and had sentence of death pronounced against him.
1647. J. Carter, Nail & Wheel, 78. Presently he was … called in question as a delinquent.
II. What is asked or inquired (about).
3. The interrogative statement of some point to be investigated or discussed; a problem; hence, a matter forming, or capable of forming, the basis of a problem; a subject involving more or less difficulty or uncertainty. The question: the precise matter receiving or requiring deliberation or discussion. To beg the question: see BEG v. 6.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 26104. Þar-wit-al sum questiones we sal vndo þe merk resons.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), I. 15. Wel nyh al problemys and questiouns of the wiseste men.
1467. in Rymer, Foedera (1710), XI. 579. If … any Difficultie or Question in the Lawe happen to ryse.
c. 1510. More, Picus, Wks. 3/2. Some good simple folk, that should of zele to the faith … impugne those questions, as new thinges.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., I. i. 227. But that is not the question: the question is concerning your marriage.
1663. Butler, Hud., I. ii. 465. It was a Question, whether he Or ’s Horse were of a Family More worshipful.
1768. T. Pownall, Admin. Brit. Col. (1774), I. 7. This American question … must now come forward.
1854. Kingsley, Lett. (1878), I. 416. This is a question involving the lives of thousands and tens of thousands of human beings.
1879. McCarthy, Own Times, II. xxv. 219. The Eastern Question it was that disturbed the dream of peace.
b. spec. A subject for discussion, a proposal to be debated or voted on, in a meeting or deliberative assembly, esp. in Parliament; † the putting of this proposal to the vote. Question!, used (a) to recall a speaker to the subject under discussion, † (b) to demand that the vote be taken (quot. 1817). Previous question: see PREVIOUS.
1658–9. Burton’s Diary (1828), IV. 37. The persons concerned must withdraw when any question is.
1678. Marvell, Growth Popery, 24. Whereupon the greater number called for the Question, and had it in the Affirmative, that the Debate should be laid aside.
1791. Debate Abolit. Slave-Trade, 119. A loud cry [being] kept up a considerable time for the question.
1817. Hansard’s Parl. Debates, XXXV. 758/2. Lord Cochrane rose, amidst reiterated cries of question, to state [etc.].
1863. H. Cox, Instit., I. ix. 139. The Speaker,… when it has been seconded, proposes it to the House, and then the House are said to be in possession of the question. Ibid., 140. If it be wished to avoid a question, it is usual to move that the chairman do leave the chair.
c. Const. of (the subject-matter or sphere). Now freq. in phr. it is a question of = what is required or involved is, etc.
1382. Wyclif, Acts xviii. 15. If questiouns ben of the word, and names of the lawe.
1526. Tindale, Acts xviii. 15. Yf it be a question off wordes or off names or of youre lawe.
1812. H. & J. Smith, Rej. Addr., Living Lustres, ii. The question of Houses I leave to the jury.
1836. J. Gilbert, Chr. Atonem., ix. (1852), 275. The recovery of transgressors is not a question of mere power.
1867. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), I. iv. 223. It was a question of time.
d. Phr. Out of the question, foreign to the subject; hence, not to be considered or thought of.
1700. Collier, 2nd Def. Short View, 122. His Objection … is out of the Question.
1815. B’ness Bunsen, in Hare, Life (1879), I. iii. 88. To go on describing the different effects … is out of the question.
1878. Bosw. Smith, Carthage, 210. The third alternative was no longer open … for retreat was out of the question.
4. A subject of discussion, debate or strife between parties, or of one party with another.
OF. question occurs freq. in the sense of ‘difference,’ ‘dispute,’ ‘quarrel.’
1382. Wyclif, John iii. 25. A questioun is maad of Johnis disciplis with the Jewis, of the purificacioun.
1390. Gower, Conf., VII. 4148. A question betwen the tuo Thus writen in a bok I fond.
1456. Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 115. It efferis to the constable to here all questiounis, querelis and complayntis of his menȝe.
1484. Caxton, Fables of Æsop, V. x. Telle me your resons and caas … that the better I may gyue the sentence of your dyferent and question.
1533. Bellenden, Livy, III. xxv. Þe samyn place & land, of quhilk now þe questioun occurris [cf. infra for quhilk þe debate occurris].
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., II. ii. 18. Since the first sword was drawne about this question.
1818. Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), VI. 249. A question arose between the heir at law and the younger children, whether it passed by the will.
5. In negative expressions. It is no (or not a) question, there is no question, † or simply no question: There is no room for dispute or doubt (but, that). To make no question: To raise or entertain no doubt (of or about a thing, but or inf.).
1583. W. Fulke, Def. Tr. Script., Pref. 5. We make no question but that it is Apostolical.
1593. Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., IV. ii. 61. I am able to endure much. No question of that. Ibid. (1596), Merch. V., I. i. 184. I no question make To haue it.
1605. Verstegan, Dec. Intell., ii. (1628), 25. That our Saxon ancestors came out of Germanie … is no question.
1625. Burges, Pers. Tithes, 2. My Purpose is not here to fall vpon that Question, (for I make no Question of it) Whether [etc.].
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 59, ¶ 3. I make no Question but it would have been looked upon as one of the most valuable Treasuries of the Greek Tongue.
1815. Jane Austen, Emma, I. ix. I cannot make a question … about that; it is a certainty.
1845. McCulloch, Taxation, Introd. (1852), 21/2. It is no longer a question that the disgust occasioned by this inequality … mainly contributed to throw France into a flame.
† b. No question (used parenthetically): No doubt, without question. Obs.
1594. O. B., Quest. Prof. & Pleas. Concern., 27. We haue set at naught … the poore … whose accusations, no question, are gone vp into heauen.
1621. Bp. Mountagu, Diatribæ, 273. Alluding, no question, vnto that of the Psalme.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Surv. Leviath. (1676), 260. This no question is his meaning.
1722. De Foe, Plague (1884), 125. There were, no Question, Accounts kept of their Charity.
6. A sentence of interrogative form, addressed by one person to another in order to elicit information; an interrogation, query, inquiry.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 22891 (Cott.). An crafti clerc … asked him a questiun of a wolf and a leon.
a. 1340. Hampole, Pr. Consc., 8288. Now may þou ask me … A questyon, and say … Salle þai [etc.]?
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 1110. Inquire me noght þis question, I queth it þe neuer.
c. 1485. Digby Myst., IV. 1311. Ye askit hym … a whestion.
c. 1580. Sidney, Ps. XLII. ii. Their daily questions … Where is now thy God soe good?
1665. Boyle, Occas. Refl., IV. xvii. Before we could answer that Question, we must ask one of him, which was, what he had been doing.
1773. Goldsm., Stoops to Conq., III. 111. Ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no fibs.
1776. Trial of Nundocomar, 73/2. If you do not give a plain answer to a plain question, you will be committed.
1869. Q. Rev., July, 211. Go and put that question to the great armies of Austria.
† b. Questions and commands, the name of a game in which one person addressed ludicrous questions and commands to each member of the company. Obs.
1673. Wycherley, Gentl. Dancing-Master, II. ii. 27. He is as dull as a Country Squire at Questions and Commands.
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 144, ¶ 1. Just as one is chosen King at the game of Questions and Commands.
1731. Fielding, Grub St. Opera, III. vii. Unless when we have [kissed] at questions and commands.
c. Sc. in pl. The catechism (cf. question-book in 7). Also transf.
1795. Burns, Election, v. The billie is gettin’ his questions, To say in St. Stephen’s the morn.
1893. Stevenson, Catriona, 31. I judged … he would think the better of me if I knew the questions.
II. 7. attrib. and Comb. a. attrib., as question-box, -hour, -time; b. objective, as question-answering, -asking, -begging (see BEG v. 6), -putting, sbs. or adjs.; c. phrasal, as question-and-answer lesson; d. question-book Sc., a catechism (formerly often containing also the alphabet or a spelling-book); question-mark, -stop, a mark of interrogation; † question-sick, having a mania for questioning; † question-wise adv., as a question.
1642. R. Harris, Sermon, 29. If wee follow Chrysostom’s sense … and read the words Questionwise, Will hee suffer long?
1647. Trapp, Comm. Acts viii. 24. All Christ’s scholars are questionists, though not question-sick.
c. 1700. in Wodrow’s Hist. Ch. Scot. (1828), II. 54. Having a mind to learn to read, I bought a Question Book.
1839. Lett. fr. Madras (1843), 255. The question-and-answer lessons on Scripture History.
c. 1860. Whately, Comm-pl. Bk. (1864), 263. What Jeremy Bentham calls ‘question-begging appellatives.’
1862. T. A. Trollope, Marietta, I. xi. 200. Looking at her like a question stop.
1869. Lowell, Cathedr. This age, that blots out life with question-marks.
1884. E. Yates, Recoll. & Exper. (ed. Tauchn.), II. vii. 259. Much is said of … their constant question-asking.
1885. Manch. Exam., 28 Feb., 6/1. Sitting apathetically through a rather lively question time.
