Quest (?), n. [OF. queste, F.
quête, 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.
Quest, v. t. [Cf. OF. quester, F.
quêter. See Quest, n.] To
search for; to examine. [R.] Sir T. Herbert.
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.
