חֲקִירָה, (חָקַר) search, speculation, study. Y. Keth. VII, 31ᶜ bot., a. e. נדר … חֲקִירַת חכם a vow which requires the study of a scholar (to find out means of absolving).—Esp. examination of witnesses, cross-examination. R. Hash. 25ᵇ חקירת העדים the hearing of witnesses (testifying to having seen the first appearance of the new crescent). Snh. IV, 1 בדרישה וח׳ require investigation and examination of witnesses; a. fr.—Pl. חֲקִירוֹת cross-examination referring to date, time and place, contrad. to בדיקות referring to accompanying circumstances. Ib. V, 1 היו … בשבע ח׳ (in capital cases) they examined by means of seven questions, what year-week, what year, month, day, hour and place. Ib. 2 מה בין ח׳ לבדיקות what is the difference in point of law between &c.? Ib. 40ᵇ שמונה ח׳ eight questions; a. fr.