Inquisition Definition

ĭnkwĭ-zĭshən, ĭng-
noun
The act of inquiring; investigation.
Webster's New World

A general tribunal established by the Roman Catholic Church in the 13th cent. for the discovery and suppression of heresy and the punishment of heretics; often, specif., Spanish Inquisition.

Webster's New World
The activities of this tribunal.
Webster's New World
An inquest or any judicial inquiry.
Webster's New World
Any harsh or arbitrary suppression or punishment of dissidents or nonconformists.
Webster's New World
pronoun

A tribunal of the Roman Catholic Church set up to investigate and suppress heresy.

Wiktionary

(by extension) A harsh or rigorous interrogation that violates the rights of an individual.

Wiktionary
verb
(obsolete) To make inquisition concerning; to inquire into.
Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Inquisition

Noun

Singular:
inquisition
Plural:
inquisitions

Origin of Inquisition

  • Middle English inquisicioun from Old French inquisicion from Latin inquīsītiō inquīsītiōn- from inquīsītus past participle of inquīrere to inquire inquire

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Old French inquisicion, from Latin inquisitio

    From Wiktionary

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