ˈquestman
[f. quest n.1 + man.]
1. A member of a ‘quest’; one appointed to make official inquiry into any matter; spec. † a. a parish or ward official elected annually (see quot. 1706). Obs.
| 1548 Geste Serm. in H. G. Dugdale Life (1840) 188 All judges, all officers, all quest men which have sworne to speake the truthe. 1599 Nashe Lenten Stuffe Wks. 1883–4 V. 239 They..come to bear office of Questman and Scauinger in the Parish where they dwell. 1631 R. Brathwait Whimzies, Questman 125 This Questman..becomes frequently versed in sundry ancient Presidents. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Quest or Quest-Men, Persons who are chosen yearly in every Ward, and meet about Christmas, to enquire into Abuses and Misdemeanours committed therein, especially such as relate to Weights and Measures. 1761 London & Environs IV. 23 [The mob of 1381] levelled to the ground the houses of all lawyers and questmen. |
b. Eccl. A churchwarden's assistant; a sidesman. Now only Hist.
| 1454 in T. Gardner Hist. Dunwich (1754) 149 To the Quest Men for the Ton 12d. 1555 Bp. Hoplin in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. i. II. 189, I dyd sende ymedyatlie for the sayd Curate, the Churche wardeyns, and the questmen. 1624 Bp. Hall True Peace Maker in Var. Treat. (1627) 543 Who troubles the house?.. In the Church..not the carelesse questman, not the corrupt officiall; but the clamorous preacher. a 1656 ― Rem. Wks. (1660) 342 We have in every Parish..Churchwardens, Questmen, or Sidemen, and Overseers for the Poor. [1732 Neal Hist. Purit. I. 307 To give it in charge to their Quest-men to present the names of all Non-conformists. 1895 J. Brown Pilgrim Fathers I. 35 He swore in six questmen to bring presentments against such as come not to church.] |
† 2. = questor 1. Obs. rare—1.
| 1691 tr. Emilianne's Frauds Rom. Monks (ed. 3) 262 One of the Quest-men told her, That they would take care to make a little shift of it, for some small Soul in Purgatory. |