Legal Definitions - quaestus

Definition: Quaestus (kwes-təs or kwee-stəs) is a Latin term that has two meanings:

1. In Roman law, it refers to profit, especially from a business.
2. In history, it refers to acquisition or purchase of an estate, as distinguished from hereditas, which refers to an estate obtained by descent.

Examples:

• John's quaestus from his business was enough to support his family.
• The quaestus of the wealthy merchant allowed him to purchase a large estate.

The first example illustrates the first meaning of the term, where quaestus refers to profit from a business. The second example illustrates the second meaning of the term, where quaestus refers to the acquisition or purchase of an estate.