# inquest

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɪŋkwɛst/ · frequency rank #22,121

## Definitions
1. A formal investigation, often held before a jury, especially one into the cause of a death
2. An inquiry, typically into an undesired outcome
3. The jury hearing such an inquiry, and the result of the inquiry
4. enquiry; quest; search
5. Prosecutorial proceeding on whether or not a warrantless arrestee is charged with an offense.

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

## Easily confused with
- **invest** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inquest-vs-invest)
- **incest** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/incest-vs-inquest)
- **ingest** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ingest-vs-inquest)

## Common misspellings (10)
`innquest`, `inqeust`, `inqquest`, `inquesst`, `inquestt`, `inquets`, `inquset`, `inuqest`, `iqnuest`, `niquest`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/inquest