From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishinquestin‧quest /ˈɪŋkwest/ noun [countable] 1 SCLa legal process to find out the cause of someone’s deathinquest into The coroner will hold an inquest into the deaths. The inquest heard that she died from multiple injuries.2 INVESTIGATEan unofficial discussion about the reasons for someone’s defeat or failure to do somethinginquest into The Tories will hold a private inquest into why they were defeated.
Examples from the Corpus
inquest• an inquest into the death of a 54-year-old woman• An inquest will be held into the actor's death.• The inquest heard that Mr Bovary was found hanging by a rope in his bedroom.• The inquest ruled the cause of death was suicide.hold ... inquest• Form 22 itself indicates that it is appropriate to hold an inquest in a case of death by natural causes.• On 11 August 1989 the coroner replied, declining to hold an inquest.• She sought a declaration that the coroner had a duty to hold an inquest into the death.• He had to decide whether or not to hold an inquest.• In such a case a coroner has a mandatory obligation to hold an inquest.hold ... inquest• Form 22 itself indicates that it is appropriate to hold an inquest in a case of death by natural causes.• On 11 August 1989 the coroner replied, declining to hold an inquest.• She sought a declaration that the coroner had a duty to hold an inquest into the death.• He had to decide whether or not to hold an inquest.• In such a case a coroner has a mandatory obligation to hold an inquest.Origin inquest (1300-1400) Old French enqueste, from Latin inquirere; → INQUIRE 