inquest

[in-kwest]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR inquest ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Origin of inquest

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

Synonyms for inquest

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR inquest ON THESAURUS.COM

1. hearing, inquisition.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for inquest

inquisition, probe, hearing, trial, quest, examination, inquiry, research, probing, delving

Examples from the Web for inquest

Contemporary Examples of inquest

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
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
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
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
Peaches Geldof died of a heroin overdose,an inquest heard today.
Peaches Geldof Died Of Heroin Overdose
Tom Sykes
May 1, 2014

Historical Examples of inquest

The twentieth brought a button-hole, and over this the inquest was held.
Punchinello, Vol. 1. No. 20, August 13, 1870
Various
Firstly, to observe that the Inquest was not held in that place, but at some distance off.
The Uncommercial Traveller
Charles Dickens
Then, after the inquest, I shall give an order that everything in the attic is to be destroyed.
Jennie Baxter, Journalist
Robert Barr
An inquest had been held upon his remains some days before, and he had been buried by the parish.
Henry Dunbar
M. E. Braddon
But as to Brigmawl at an inquest, he's about as much good as the Pope of Rome.'
Henry Dunbar
M. E. Braddon

British Dictionary definitions for inquest

inquest

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

Word Origin and History for inquest

late 13c., an-queste "legal or judicial inquiry," from Old French enqueste "inquiry," from Vulgar Latin *inquaestia (cf. Italian inchiesta), from fem. past participle of Vulgar Latin *inquirere "inquire" (see inquire).

inquest in Medicine

inquest

[ĭn′kwĕst′]

n.

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

The finding based on such an inquiry.