Quest (?), n. [OF. queste, F. quete, fr. L. quaerere, quaesitum, to seek for, to ask. Cf. Query, Question.]
1.
The act of seeking, or looking after anything; attempt to find or obtain; search; pursuit; as, to rove in quest of game, of a lost child, of property, etc.
Upon an hard adventure yet in quest.
Spenser.
Cease your quest of love.
Shak.
There ended was his quest, there ceased his care.
Milton.
2.
Request; desire; solicitation.
Gad not abroad at every quest and call
Of an untrained hope or passion.
Herbert.
3.
Those who make search or inquiry, taken collectively.
The senate hath sent about three several quests to search you out.
Shak.
4.
Inquest; jury of inquest.
What lawful quest have given their verdict ?
Shak.
© Webster 1913.
Quest, v. t. [Cf. OF. quester, F. queter. See Quest, n.]
To search for; to examine.
[R.]
Sir T. Herbert.
© Webster 1913.
Quest, v. i.
To go on a quest; to make a search; to go in pursuit; to beg.
[R.]
If his questing had been unsuccessful, he appeased the rage of hunger with some scraps of broken meat.
Macaulay.
© Webster 1913.