Inquest: meaning, definitions and examples

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inquest

 

[ ˈɪŋˌkwɛst ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

legal process

An inquest is a legal investigation into the cause of a sudden or unexplained death, typically conducted by a coroner. It aims to determine the circumstances surrounding the death and may involve gathering evidence from witnesses, medical professionals, and experts.

Synonyms

examination, inquiry, investigation

Examples of usage

  • The coroner held an inquest to determine the cause of death.
  • The inquest revealed that the death was due to natural causes.
  • The family attended the inquest to seek closure.
  • During the inquest, witnesses provided testimony about the events leading up to the death.
  • The findings of the inquest were crucial in determining the next steps in the investigation.

Translations

Translations of the word "inquest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inquérito

🇮🇳 जांच

🇩🇪 Untersuchung

🇮🇩 pemeriksaan

🇺🇦 розслідування

🇵🇱 śledztwo

🇯🇵 調査

🇫🇷 enquête

🇪🇸 investigación

🇹🇷 soruşturma

🇰🇷 조사

🇸🇦 تحقيق

🇨🇿 vyšetřování

🇸🇰 vyšetrovanie

🇨🇳 调查

🇸🇮 preiskava

🇮🇸 rannsókn

🇰🇿 зерттеу

🇬🇪 გამოძიება

🇦🇿 təhlükəsizlik

🇲🇽 investigación

Etymology

The word 'inquest' originated from Middle English 'enqueste', which came from Old French 'enqueste', ultimately derived from Latin 'inquirere' meaning 'to inquire'. The term has been used in legal contexts for centuries to refer to formal investigations into deaths or other matters of public interest.

See also: bequest, conquest, quester.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,907, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.