the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > engaged in searching for [phrase] > in quest of (4)
In general sense. A search or investigation in order to find something; a pursuit; a research. In early use, esp., a knightly expedition in pursuit…
in quest. In search, in pursuit. With of, †after, or †infinitive.
in (the) request of: in search of, seeking. Obsolete.
in search of: so as to look for, in order to find, in pursuit of. Frequently used predicatively: looking for, trying to find.