inquest

[ in-kwest ]

/ ˈɪn kwɛst /

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noun

a legal or judicial inquiry, usually before a jury, especially an investigation made by a coroner into the cause of a death.

the body of people appointed to hold such an inquiry, especially a coroner's jury.

the decision or finding based on such inquiry.

an investigation or examination.

OTHER WORDS FOR inquest

1 hearing, inquisition.

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Origin of inquest

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Medieval Latin inquēsta, equivalent to Latin in- + quaesīta, plural (taken in Medieval Latin as feminine singular) of quaesītum “question”; replacing Middle English enqueste, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin, as above; see in-², quest

Words nearby inquest

input device, input/output, input-output analysis, inqilab, inquartation, inquest, in question, in quest of, inquiet, inquietude, inquiline

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use inquest in a sentence

While the inquest has yet to fully start, one theory centers on the team’s age.
Tokyo Surprises: Expect the Unexpected|Toyloy Brown III|August 6, 2021|Ozy
She was surprised to hear Belton’s voice, according to testimony from her and Belton during a coroner’s inquest.
The Murder Chicago Didn’t Want to Solve|by Mick Dumke|February 25, 2021|ProPublica
No doubt, there will be an inquest into what went so wrong that a mob was able to march up the same steps where female lawmakers formed an honor guard as the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s body left the building last year.
The Breach of the Capitol Spooked Us — As It Should Have|Philip Elliott|January 7, 2021|Time
That is a fact recorded by the doctor in charge of the ambulance at the inquest.
Harry’s Daddy, and Diana’s ‘Murder’: Royal Rumors In a New Play|Tom Sykes|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST

At last month's inquest, Coroner Fiona Wilcox concluded Mrs Saldanha had taken her own life.
Kate Prank Call DJ Tells of Death Threats|Tom Sykes|October 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He told senior officials that an inquest was not powerful enough to handle the kind of allegations he needed to explore.
Brits Investigate Assassination of the Spy Who Warned Us About Putin|Nico Hines|July 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At an inquest in May, DCI Paul Fotheringham of Kent Police said recent heroin use was likely to have played a role in her death.
Peaches Geldof's Tragic Last Interview: "I’m going to die like my mother."|Tom Sykes|June 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Peaches Geldof died of a heroin overdose,an inquest heard today.
Peaches Geldof Died Of Heroin Overdose|Tom Sykes|May 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The fortune was proving quite as large as he had expected, and not even an inquest had been held upon the dead man.
Uncanny Tales|Various
When I was about twenty I held a sort of inquest upon it and found out a number of things.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
"One of the most extraordinary cases I have ever met with," the doctor told the coroner at the inquest.
Uncanny Tales|Various
Couldn't say much at inquest, or didn't; was asked if he witnessed accident; said 'No,' but some still think he did.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
A woman having died suddenly at Waterford, the Coroner had, according to law, ordered an inquest.
Friend Mac Donald|Max O'Rell

British Dictionary definitions for inquest

inquest

/ (ˈɪnˌkwɛst) /

noun

an inquiry into the cause of an unexplained, sudden, or violent death, or as to whether or not property constitutes treasure trove, held by a coroner, in certain cases with a jury

informal any inquiry or investigation

Word Origin for inquest

C13: from Medieval Latin inquēsta, from Latin in- ² + quaesītus investigation, from quaerere to examine

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for inquest

inquest

[ ĭn′kwĕst′ ]

A legal inquiry into the cause of violent or mysterious death.

The finding based on such an inquiry.

inquest

OTHER WORDS FOR inquest

Origin of inquest

Words nearby inquest

Words related to inquest

How to use inquest in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for inquest

Word Origin for inquest

Medical definitions for inquest