Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IN'QUEST, n. [Fr. enquête; inquisitio, inquiro; in and quæro, to seek.]

1. Inquisition; judicial inquiry; official examination. An inquest of office, is an inquiry made by the king's officer, his sherif, coroner or escheator, concerning any matter that entitles the king to the possession of lands or tenements, goods or chattels. It is made by a jury of no determinate number. Blackstone. In the United States, a similar inquiry, made by the proper officer, under the authority of a state.
2. A jury.
3. Inquiry; search. South.