inquisition

American  

[in-kwuh-zish-uhn, ing-] / ˌɪn kwəˈzɪʃ ən, ˌɪŋ- /

noun

1. an official investigation, especially one of a political or religious nature, characterized by lack of regard for individual rights, prejudice on the part of the examiners, and recklessly cruel punishments.

2. any harsh, difficult, or prolonged questioning.

3. the act of inquiring; inquiry; research.

4. an investigation, or process of inquiry.

5. a judicial or official inquiry.

   Synonyms:

   hearing, inquest

6. the finding of such an inquiry.

7. the document embodying the result of such inquiry.

8. (initial capital letter)

   1. a former special tribunal, engaged chiefly in combating and punishing heresy.

   2. Spanish Inquisition.

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inquisition ¹ British  

/ ˌɪnkwɪˈzɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of inquiring deeply or searchingly; investigation

2. a deep or searching inquiry, esp a ruthless official investigation of individuals in order to suppress revolt or root out the unorthodox

3. an official inquiry, esp one held by a jury before an officer of the Crown

4. another word for inquest

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Inquisition ² British  

/ ˌɪnkwɪˈzɪʃən /

noun

1. history a judicial institution of the Roman Catholic Church (1232–1820) founded to discover and suppress heresy See also Spanish Inquisition

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Inquisition Cultural  

1. A court established by the Roman Catholic Church in the thirteenth century to try cases of heresy and other offenses against the church. Those convicted could be handed over to the civil authorities for punishment, including execution.

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The Inquisition was most active in Spain, especially under Tomás de Torquemada (see also Torquemada); its officials sometimes gained confessions through torture. It did not cease operation in the Spanish Empire until the nineteenth century.

By association, a harsh or unjust trial or interrogation may be called an “inquisition.”

Other Word Forms

• inquisitional adjective
• inquisitionist noun
• preinquisition noun

Etymology

Origin of inquisition

1350–1400; Middle English inquisicio ( u ) n < Latin inquīsītiōn- (stem of inquīsītiō ), equivalent to inquīsīt ( us ) past participle of inquīrere to inquire + -iōn- -ion

Related Words

• interrogation