inquisition
/ˌɪŋkwɪˈzɪʃən/ noun, verb, proper noun
Forms inquisitions inquisitioning inquisitioned
- noun An inquiry or investigation into the truth of some matter.
- noun (sometimes) Such an investigation that is asserted to be persecutory by its adversaries.
- noun An inquest.
- noun A questioning.
- noun The finding of a jury, especially such a finding under a writ of inquiry.
- verb (obsolete) To make inquisition concerning; to inquire into.
- proper noun (historical) A tribunal of the Roman Catholic Church set up to investigate and suppress heresy.
- proper noun (by extension) A harsh or rigorous interrogation that violates one’s rights.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Old French inquisicion, from Latin inquisitio, from inquirere. The sense implying persecution is influenced by the name of the Spanish Inquisition, which is a cardinal exemplar of government inquisitions that give inquisitions a bad name.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The act of inquiring; inquiry; search; examination; inspection; investigation.
- noun (a) Judicial inquiry; official examination; inquest.
- verb To make inquisistion concerning; to inquire into. [Obs.]
Etymology [L. inquisitio : cf. F. inquisition. See Inquire, and cf. Inquest.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “inquisition”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details