Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

inquest

/ˈɪŋkwɛst/ noun

Latin root: inquirere Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about inquest at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A formal investigation, often held before a jury, especially one into the cause of a death
An inquiry, typically into an undesired outcome
The jury hearing such an inquiry, and the result of the inquiry

Origin

From Middle English enquest, from Old French enqueste (Modern French enquête), from Vulgar Latin inquirere, or from Medieval Latin inquesta < in + Latin quaesita.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word