ˈinˌkwest noun
Etymology: Middle English enquest, inquest, from Old French enqueste, from feminine of (assumed) enquest, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin inquaestus, past participle of inquaerere to inquire — more at inquire
1.
a. : a judicial or official inquiry or examination especially before a jury
a coroner's inquest
an inquest to fix damages
b. : a body of men especially a jury assembled to hold such an inquiry
c. : the finding of the jury upon such inquiry or the document recording it
2. : inquiry , investigation
a two-year inquest into the conduct of the executive — W.E.Binkley
Synonyms: see inquiry