inquisition

[ in-kwuh-zish-uhn, ing- ]

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) Roman Catholic Church.
   1. a former special tribunal, engaged chiefly in combating and punishing heresy. Compare Holy Office.
   2. Spanish Inquisition.

inquisition

¹

/ 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

Inquisition

²

/ ˌɪnkwɪˈzɪʃən /

noun

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

Inquisition

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.

Notes

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.”

Derived Forms

• ˌinquiˈsitionist, noun
• ˌinquiˈsitional, adjective

Other Words From

• inqui·sition·al adjective
• prein·qui·sition noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inquisition¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of inquisition¹

C14: from legal Latin inquīsītiō, from inquīrere to seek for; see inquire

Example Sentences

Clarke is not the type of character to dwell on the lessons learned at the Euros for fear of inviting a public inquisition that he has no desire to be part of.

From BBC

There are no signs that the Republicans learned a thing from their 3½ -hour inquisition.

From Los Angeles Times

Taken aback at the bizarre timing of the intentionally inflammatory inquisition, the superstar coach gathered herself to remark on the highly polarizing issue.“Man, you got deep on me there,” she said to Zaksheske.

From Salon

Porter’s inquisitions of Wall Street executives during congressional hearings made her a favorite of liberal voters — particularly young ones — angry about inequality and corporate greed.

From Los Angeles Times

You might be wondering just how long nicotine is detectable in your system if you’re facing a life insurance inquisition.

From Encyclopedia.com

Related Words

• interrogation