/in"kwest/ , n.
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.
[ 1250-1300; ME inquesta, equiv. to L in- IN- 2 + quaesita, pl. (taken in ML as fem. sing.) of quaesitum question (see QUEST); r. ME enqueste ]
Syn. 1. hearing, inquisition.