inquisition
[ in-kwuh-zish-uhn, ing- ]
/ ˌɪn kwəˈzɪʃ ən, ˌɪŋ- /
noun
Origin of inquisition
OTHER WORDS FROM inquisition
in·qui·si·tion·al, adjective pre·in·qui·si·tion, nounWords nearby inquisition
inquiline,
inquire,
inquire after,
inquiring,
inquiry,
inquisition,
inquisitionist,
inquisitive,
inquisitor,
inquisitor-general,
inquisitorial
Example sentences from the Web for inquisition
British Dictionary definitions for inquisition (1 of 2)
inquisition
/ (ˌɪnkwɪˈzɪʃən) /
noun
the act of inquiring deeply or searchingly; investigation
a deep or searching inquiry, esp a ruthless official investigation of individuals in order to suppress revolt or root out the unorthodox
an official inquiry, esp one held by a jury before an officer of the Crown
another word for inquest (def. 2)
Derived forms of inquisition
inquisitional, adjective inquisitionist, nounWord Origin for inquisition
C14: from legal Latin
inquīsītiō, from
inquīrere to seek for; see
inquire
British Dictionary definitions for inquisition (2 of 2)
Inquisition
/ (ˌɪnkwɪˈzɪʃən) /
noun
history
a judicial institution of the Roman Catholic Church (1232–1820) founded to discover and suppress heresy
See also Spanish Inquisition
Cultural definitions for inquisition
Inquisition
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 for Inquisition
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.
notes for Inquisition
By association, a harsh or unjust trial or interrogation may be called an “inquisition.”