quest Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria
pursuit; pursuance.
- the pursuit of love
- life is more than the pursuance of fame
- a quest for wealth
noun the act of searching for something
seeking.
- a quest for diamonds
verb make a search (for)
- Things that die with their eyes open and questing
- The animal came questing through the forest
verb search the trail of (game)
- The dog went off and quested
verb bark with prolonged noises, of dogs
bay.
verb seek alms, as for religious purposes
verb express the need or desire for; ask for
bespeak; call for; request.
- She requested an extra bed in her room
- She called for room service

OF. queste, F. quête, fr. L. quaerere, quaesitum, to seek for, to ask. Cf. Query, Question.

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.
Request; desire; solicitation.
Gad not abroad at every quest and call Of an untrained hope or passion. Herbert.
Those who make search or inquiry, taken collectively.
The senate hath sent about three several quests to search you out. Shak.
Inquest; jury of inquest.
What lawful quest have given their verdict ? Shak.

Cf. OF. quester, F. quêter. See Quest, n.

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.