inquest

[ in-kwest ]

noun

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

   Synonyms: inquisition, hearing

2. the body of people appointed to hold such an inquiry, especially a coroner's jury.
3. the decision or finding based on such inquiry.
4. an investigation or examination.

inquest

/ ˈɪnˌkwɛst /

noun

1. 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
2. informal.
   any inquiry or investigation

Word History and Origins

Origin of inquest¹

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; in- ², quest

Word History and Origins

Origin of inquest¹

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

Example Sentences

While the inquest has yet to fully start, one theory centers on the team’s age.

From Ozy

She was surprised to hear Belton’s voice, according to testimony from her and Belton during a coroner’s inquest.

From 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.

From Time

That is a fact recorded by the doctor in charge of the ambulance at the inquest.

From The Daily Beast

At last month's inquest, Coroner Fiona Wilcox concluded Mrs Saldanha had taken her own life.

From The Daily Beast

He told senior officials that an inquest was not powerful enough to handle the kind of allegations he needed to explore.

From The 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.

From The Daily Beast

Peaches Geldof died of a heroin overdose,an inquest heard today.

From The 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.

From Project Gutenberg

When I was about twenty I held a sort of inquest upon it and found out a number of things.

From Project Gutenberg

"One of the most extraordinary cases I have ever met with," the doctor told the coroner at the inquest.

From Project Gutenberg

Couldn't say much at inquest, or didn't; was asked if he witnessed accident; said 'No,' but some still think he did.

From Project Gutenberg

A woman having died suddenly at Waterford, the Coroner had, according to law, ordered an inquest.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• inquisition