question

/ˈkwɛstʃən/

noun

Origin

Latin

quaestio — a seeking, inquiry, investigation

Overview

Meaning Now

A sentence worded or expressed so as to elicit information.
A subject or point of contention under discussion or consideration.
A matter of doubt or difficulty.

Literal older meaning

a seeking or inquiry

Language path

Latin → Old French → Middle English → English

Earliest form

questiun

Earliest period

13th century

Journey

The term carries the history of the Latin 'quaestio', which in Roman law denoted a judicial inquiry or a court of law. This legal nuance persisted in English until the early modern period.

Evolution

Latin
quaerere
“to seek, ask”
The base verb for the noun quaestio.
Old French
question
“inquiry, interrogation”
Adopted into Old French from the Latin accusative.
Middle English
questioun
“inquiry, judicial investigation”
Entered English via Old French following the Norman Conquest.

Connections

Word parts

quest-

root

to seek or ask

-ion

suffix

forming nouns of action or process

Related across languages

French
question
question
Spanish
cuestión
issue or matter