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Synonyms

inquisition, investigation, probe, research, assize, examination, finding, hearing, inquiry, search, quest, trial

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inquest - 5 dictionary results

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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

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : inquest

Spanish:

investigación, pesquisa,

German:

gerichtliche Untersuchung,

Japanese:

検死審問

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in·quest (ĭn'kwěst') Pronunciation Key
n.

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.
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.]

inquest

c.1290, an-queste, "legal or judicial inquiry," from O.Fr. enqueste "inquiry," from fem. pp. of V.L. *inquirere "inquire" (see inquire).

inquest
noun
an inquiry into the cause of an unexpected death

Inquest

Cor"o*ner\ (k?r"?-n?r), n. [From OE. coronen to crown, OF. coroner, fr. L. coronare, fr. corona crown. Formed as a translation of LL. coronator coroner, fr. L. corona crown, the coroner having been originally a prosecuting officer of the crown. See Crown.] An officer of the peace whose principal duty is to inquire, with the help of a jury, into the cause of any violent, sudden or mysterious death, or death in prison, usually on sight of the body and at the place where the death occurred. [In England formerly also written and pronounced crowner.]

Note: In some of the United States the office of coroner is abolished, that of medical examiner taking its place.

Coroner's inquest. See under Inquest.