quest

American  

[kwest] / kwɛst /

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, search, pursuit, hunt, hunt

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.

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verb (used without object)

1. to search; seek (often followed by for orafter ).

   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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to go in search (of)

2. to go on a quest

3. 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

quest Idioms  

1. see under in search of.

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Other Word Forms

• quester noun
• questing adjective
• questingly adverb
• unquested adjective

Etymology

Origin of quest

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

Example Sentences

There was a youthful, rock ‘n’ roll vibe to the proceedings that was punk in quality but earnest in its quest to be seen.

From Los Angeles Times

But even with discipline, the reason “no side quests” is such a bad idea is that success comes via surprises.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s a “quest for a mathematical theory of the mind,” as the subtitle puts it—opening with Aristotle and ending with artificial intelligence.

From The Wall Street Journal

According to Robinson, therein lies the problem for Tuchel and England - Friday's game played out more like a trial than a quest for "cohesion" and "team performance".

From BBC

Tourism is a pillar of Middle Eastern governments’ quest to diversify and burnish their standing on the world stage.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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