asking — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. That asks; that expresses a question or request.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   It was as when some great gentle dog brings in a limp and bedraggled prize dug from the yard and, laying it at one’s feet, looks up at one with soft asking eyes.

   […] all of them looked at each other in an asking way.

   More examples (1)

   He stepped to me while taking purchase on the handrail and looked through me with an asking look; finally he added with a sardonic smile. "I know now that you feel; hatred coming from deep."

Noun

1. The act or process of posing a question or making a request.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   His asking was greeted with silence.

   The large eyes sought his own, as if asking for help, and yet unable to do more than look their mute asking.

   More examples (2)

   Form's silent asking, man's loving speech, the mute proclamation of the creature, are all gates leading into the presence of the Word.

   If someone asks for love he will not get love, because the very asking makes him unlovely, ugly; the very fact of asking becomes the barrier.

2. A request, or petition.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Rare
   • singular
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   After many askings, pleadings, and episodes, all leading to nothing, she finally slumped down at the side of a well in a village where she was unknown.

3. The marriage banns.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • in-plural
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. the verbal act of requesting

   Synonyms

   request

   Broader terms

   speech act