D defs.my
Entry 2 senses Webster, 1913

Inquest

/ĭn'-kwĕstˌ/ · In·quest · IPA /ˈɪŋkwɛst/
01 n. Inquiry; quest; search.
  1. 1.
    Inquiry; quest; search.[R.]
    “The laborious and vexatious inquest that the soul must make after science.” South.
  2. 2.
    Judicial inquiry; official examination, esp. before a jury; as, a coroner's inquest in case of a sudden death.(Law)
Phrases & compounds
Coroner's inquest — an inquest held by a coroner to determine the cause of any violent, sudden, or mysterious death. See Coroner.
Inquest of office — an inquiry made, by authority or direction of proper officer, into matters affecting the rights and interests of the crown or of the state.