-io

an action, process, or result

Forms

-io
-ion- — The longer form used before Latin endings.
-ion — The form carried into many English nouns.

Origin

An old Latin noun ending, inherited from earlier Indo-European word formation.

Note

The ending can name both an activity and what that activity produces.

293 / 371

noun / verb

question

KWES-chun/ˈkwestʃən/

An inquiry seeking an answer or clarification.

A child raises a hand to ask the teacher a question.

A curious child raises a hand to ask a teacher, a single small question mark above the child.

Etymology

questLatinseek, ask, investigate

+ionLatinan action, process, or result

A question is rooted in the act of seeking: here, seeking knowledge rather than an object. The Latin action noun meant inquiry or investigation, leading to an utterance intended to obtain an answer.

In context

Arlington Community Media Inc.48:46

the question really becomes does the board have sufficient information for the record to satisfy the request for a variance

Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting - August 9, 2022

More examples

Please write your questions at the bottom of the form.
The nurse questions each patient about current medications.
Her question helps clarify the instructions.

Forms

question · questions · questioned · questioning

questioner noun — A person who asks for information.

Similar words

inquiry: Often suggests a more formal request for information.
ask: As a verb, need not suggest sustained or systematic questioning.