- an official investigation, especially one of a political or religious nature, characterized by lack of regard for individual rights, prejudice on the part of the examiners, and recklessly cruel punishments.
- any harsh, difficult, or prolonged questioning.
- the act of inquiring; inquiry; research.
- an investigation, or process of inquiry.
- a judicial or official inquiry.
- the finding of such an inquiry.
- the document embodying the result of such inquiry.
- (initial capital letter)Roman Catholic Church.
- a former special tribunal, engaged chiefly in combating and punishing heresy.
- Spanish Inquisition.
- 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)
- a judicial institution of the Roman Catholic Church (1232–1820) founded to discover and suppress heresy
