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Inquest

 - 7 dictionary results

in⋅quest

[in-kwest]
–noun
1. a legal or judicial inquiry, usually before a jury, esp. an investigation made by a coroner into the cause of a death.
2. the body of people appointed to hold such an inquiry, esp. a coroner's jury.
3. the decision or finding based on such inquiry.
4. an investigation or examination.

Origin:
1250–1300; ME < ML inquēsta, equiv. to L in- in- 2 + quaesīta, pl. (taken in ML as fem. sing.) of quaesītum question (see quest ); r. ME enqueste < AF < ML, as above


1. hearing, inquisition.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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in·quest   (ĭn'kwěst')   
n.  
  1. Law

    1. A judicial inquiry into a matter usually held before a jury, especially an inquiry into the cause of a death.

    2. A jury making such an inquiry.

    3. The finding based on such an inquiry.

  2. An investigation or inquiry. See Synonyms at inquiry.


[Middle English enqueste, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *inquaesīta, thing inquired into, alteration of Latin inquīsīta, feminine past participle of inquīrere, to inquire into; see inquire.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

inquest 
c.1290, an-queste, "legal or judicial inquiry," from O.Fr. enqueste "inquiry," from fem. pp. of V.L. *inquirere "inquire" (see inquire).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: in·quest
Pronunciation: 'in-"kwest
Function: noun
Etymology: Anglo-French enqueste, from Old French, ultimately from Latin inquirere to ask about, from in- within, into + quaerere to seek
1 : a judicial or official inquiry or examination often before a jury inquest> —compare TRIAL
2 : a body of people (as a jury) assembled to hold a judicial or official inquiry; also : the finding of such an inquiry or the document recording it
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: in·quest
Pronunciation: 'in-"kwest
Function: noun
: a judicial or official inquiry especially before a jury to determine the cause of aviolent or unexpected death inquest>
Medical Dictionary

inquest in·quest (ĭn'kwěst')
n.

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

  2. The finding based on such an inquiry.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Encyclopedia

inquest

judicial inquiry by a group of persons appointed by a court. The most common type is the inquest set up to investigate a death apparently occasioned by unnatural means. Witnesses are examined, and a special jury returns a verdict on the cause of death. In England inquests are also required when there is loss or injury in a fire. The inquest is confined to common-law jurisdictions that have a coroner system

Learn more about inquest with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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