Ask

Ask Ask, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Asked}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Asking}.] [OE. asken, ashen, axien, AS. [=a]scian, [=a]csian; akin to OS. [=e]sc[=o]n, OHG. eisc[=o]n, Sw. [=a]ska, Dan. [ae]ske, D. eischen, G. heischen, Lith. j["e]sk['o]ti, OSlav. iskati to seek, Skr. ish to desire. [root]5.] 1. To request; to seek to obtain by words; to petition; to solicit; -- often with of, in the sense of from, before the person addressed. [1913 Webster]

Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God. --Judg. xviii. 5. [1913 Webster]

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. --John xv. 7. [1913 Webster]

2. To require, demand, claim, or expect, whether by way of remuneration or return, or as a matter of necessity; as, what price do you ask? [1913 Webster]

Ask me never so much dowry. --Gen. xxxiv. 12. [1913 Webster]

To whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. --Luke xii. 48. [1913 Webster]

An exigence of state asks a much longer time to conduct a design to maturity. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

3. To interrogate or inquire of or concerning; to put a question to or about; to question. [1913 Webster]

He is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. --John ix. 21. [1913 Webster]

He asked the way to Chester. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. To invite; as, to ask one to an entertainment. [1913 Webster]

5. To publish in church for marriage; -- said of both the banns and the persons. --Fuller. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To beg; request; seek; petition; solicit; entreat; beseech; implore; crave; require; demand; claim; exhibit; inquire; interrogate. See {Beg}. [1913 Webster]