'Inquisition' definitions:
Definition of 'Inquisition'
(from WordNet)
noun
A former tribunal of the Roman Catholic Church (1232-1820) created to discover and suppress heresy
noun
A severe interrogation (often violating the rights or privacy of individuals)
Definition of 'Inquisition'
From: GCIDE
- Inquisition \In`qui*si"tion\, n. [L. inquisitio : cf. F. inquisition. See Inquire, and cf. Inquest.]
- 1. The act of inquiring; inquiry; search; examination; inspection; investigation. [1913 Webster]
- As I could learn through earnest inquisition. --Latimer. [1913 Webster]
- Let not search and inquisition quail To bring again these foolish runaways. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 2. (Law) (a) Judicial inquiry; official examination; inquest. (b) The finding of a jury, especially such a finding under a writ of inquiry. --Bouvier. [1913 Webster]
- The justices in eyre had it formerly in charge to make inquisition concerning them by a jury of the county. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster]
- 3. (R. C. Ch.) A court or tribunal for the examination and punishment of heretics, fully established by Pope Gregory IX. in 1235. Its operations were chiefly confined to Spain, Portugal, and their dependencies, and a part of Italy. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Inquisition'
From: GCIDE
- Inquisition \In`qui*si"tion\, v. t. To make inquisition concerning; to inquire into. [Obs.] --Milton. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'inquisition'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- analysis,
- Areopagus,
- assize,
- board,
- change of venue,
- council,
- court-martial,
- cross-examination,
- cross-interrogation,
- cross-questioning,
- curia,
- delving,
- direct examination,
- examination,
- forum,
- grilling,
- hearing,
- inquest,
- inquirendo,
- inquiring,
- inquiring mind,
- inquiry,
- investigation,
- judicatory,
- judicature,
- judiciary,
- jury trial,
- mistrial,
- police interrogation,
- probe,
- probing,
- quest,
- redirect examination,
- research,
- the grill,
- the Inquisition,
- third-degree,
- trial,
- trial by jury,
- tribunal