Quest | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Quēst, n.

noun

n. [O. Fr. queste, N. Fr. quête, Pr. questa, quista, Sp. questa, It. chiesta, from Lat. quærere, quæsitum, to seek for, to ask.]

Sense 1. The act of seeking, or looking after any thing; attempt to find or obtain; search; as, to rove in quest of game, of a lost child, of property, and the like. “A low But loyal cottage, where you may be safe Till further quest.” Milton.

Sense 2. Request; desire; solicitation.

Gad not abroad at every quest and call Of an untrained hope or passion. Herbert.

Sense 3. Those who make search or inquiry. “Hath sent about three several quests.” Shak.

Sense 4. Specifically, by abbreviation for inquest, a sworn body of examiners, as a jury of inquest. [Obs.] Shak.

Quēst, v. i.

verbintransitive

To go in search of something; to make search or inquiry.

If his questing had been unsuccessful, he appeased the rage of hunger with some scraps of broken meat. Macaulay.

Quēst, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [O. Fr. quester, N. Fr. quêter, Pr. quistar. See supra.] To search for. Herbert.