Definition of INQUISITION

inquisition

Meanings

Plural: inquisitions

Noun

  • a former tribunal of the Roman Catholic Church (1232-1820) created to discover and suppress heresy
  • a severe interrogation (often violating the rights or privacy of individuals)
  • An inquiry or investigation into the truth of some matter.
  • An inquiry or investigation into the truth of some matter.
  • Such an investigation that is asserted to be persecutory by its adversaries.
  • An inquest.
  • A questioning.
  • The finding of a jury, especially such a finding under a writ of inquiry.

Verb

  • To make inquisition concerning; to inquire into.

Origin / 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.

Synonyms

disquisition

Scrabble Score: 20

inquisition is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
inquisition is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
inquisition is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 23

inquisition is a valid Words With Friends word