quest

[kwest]

noun

1. a search or pursuit made in order to find or obtain something.

   a quest for uranium mines;

   a quest for knowledge.

   Synonyms: undertaking, mission, journey, search, pursuit, hunt, hunt

2. Classical and Medieval Legend.,  an adventurous expedition undertaken by a knight or knights to secure or achieve something.

   the quest of the Holy Grail.

3. those engaged in such an expedition.

4. British Dialect.,  inquest.

5. Obsolete.,  a jury of inquest.

verb (used without object)

1. to search; seek (often followed by for orafter ).

   to quest after hidden treasure.

2. to go on a quest.

3. Hunting.,  (of a dog)

   1. to search for game.

   2. to bay or give tongue in pursuit of game.

verb (used with object)

1. to search or seek for; pursue.

quest

/ kwɛst /

noun

1. the act or an instance of looking for or seeking; search

   a quest for diamonds

2. (in medieval romance) an expedition by a knight or company of knights to accomplish some prescribed task, such as finding the Holy Grail

3. the object of a search; goal or target

   my quest is the treasure of the king

4. rare,  a collection of alms

verb

1. to go in search (of)

2. to go on a quest

3. 1. to search for game

   2. to bay when in pursuit of game

4. rare,  to collect alms

5. archaic,  (also tr) to go in search of (a thing); seek or pursue

Other Word Forms

• quester noun
• questingly adverb
• questing adjective
• unquested adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quest¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English noun queste, from Old French, from Latin quaesīta, feminine past participle of quaerere “to seek”; Middle English verb derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of quest¹

C14: from Old French queste, from Latin quaesita sought, from quaerere to seek

Idioms and Phrases

see under in search of.

Example Sentences

Armed with a wad of cash — at a time when $100 converted to yen stretched a long way in Japan — the players set out on their first quest: beer.

From Los Angeles Times

The NBA’s quest to “create an All-Star experience that we can be proud of and our players can be proud of” continues in earnest and with a new partner.

From Los Angeles Times

In his latest, Danielewski serves up a tale of the Old West, in which two Utah brothers embark on a quest to save two horses from slaughter.

From Los Angeles Times

Often they begin their quest at the VA, where they can get temporary beds in a tiny home village, hoping to transfer into on-campus housing that is being built, though slowly.

From Los Angeles Times

So I reached out to Rev. Adam Taylor, president of Sojourners and author of “A More Perfect Union: A New Vision for Building the Beloved Community,” about the president’s quest.

From Salon

Related Words

• adventure 
• chase 
• crusade 
• expedition 
• exploration 
• hunt 
• inquiry 
• investigation 
• journey 
• pilgrimage 
• probe 
• pursuit 
• research 
• search