quest

[ kwest ]

noun

1. a search or pursuit made in order to find or obtain something:

   a quest for uranium mines;

   a quest for knowledge.

   Synonyms: undertaking, mission, journey, pursuit, hunt, search

2. Classical and Medieval Legend. an adventurous expedition undertaken by a knight or knights to secure or achieve something:

   the quest of the Holy Grail.

3. those engaged in such an expedition.
4. British Dialect. inquest.
5. Obsolete. a jury of inquest.

verb (used without object)

1. to search; seek (often followed by for or after ):

   to quest after hidden treasure.

2. to go on a quest.
3. Hunting. (of a dog)
   1. to search for game.
   2. to bay or give tongue in pursuit of game.

verb (used with object)

1. to search or seek for; pursue.

quest

/ kwɛst /

noun

1. the act or an instance of looking for or seeking; search

   a quest for diamonds

2. (in medieval romance) an expedition by a knight or company of knights to accomplish some prescribed task, such as finding the Holy Grail
3. the object of a search; goal or target

   my quest is the treasure of the king

4. rare.
   a collection of alms

verb

1. foll byfor or after to go in search (of)
2. to go on a quest
3. of gun dogs or hounds
   1. to search for game
   2. to bay when in pursuit of game
4. rare.
   to collect alms
5. archaic.
   also tr to go in search of (a thing); seek or pursue

Derived Forms

• ˈquester, noun
• ˈquestingly, adverb
• ˈquesting, adjective

Other Words From

• quester noun
• questing·ly adverb
• un·quested adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quest¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English noun queste, from Old French, from Latin quaesīta, feminine past participle of quaerere “to seek”; Middle English verb derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of quest¹

C14: from Old French queste, from Latin quaesita sought, from quaerere to seek

Idioms and Phrases

see under in search of .

Example Sentences

In the quest for fragments of solace, it’s also perhaps understandable that when tales of bravery are found, they are celebrated unashamedly.

From BBC

“In general, we need experiments in quantum gravity, not just theories. With experiments, we will have real science, which is what we all want in our quest to understand the universe a bit better and a bit more completely.”

From Salon

Notable for starring 94-year-old June Squibb on a quest for payback, Josh Margolin’s debut goes deeper than the gag would suggest, summoning style and warmth.

From Los Angeles Times

Rather than being equipped with a sword and shield, as in previous Legend of Zelda games, the main character has the ability to copy items and enemies found during their quest.

From BBC

It started as a social media quest for dumplings, but ended with thousands of cyclists bringing traffic gridlock between two cities in central China.

From BBC

Related Words

• adventure
• chase
• crusade
• expedition
• exploration
• hunt
• inquiry
• investigation
• journey
• pilgrimage
• probe
• pursuit
• research
• search