Dictionary

inquisition en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˌɪŋkwɪˈzɪʃən/
• (US) audio

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.

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) An inquiry or investigation into the truth of some matter.
   • But as farrefoorth as I coulde learne, through earneſt inquiſition I thoughte in my conſcience the woman was not gilty, all the circumſtances well conſydered. 1552, Hughe Latymer [i.e., Hugh Latimer], Augustine Bernher, compiler, “[The First Sermon]”, in Certayn Godly Sermons, Made uppon the Lords Prayer, […], London: […] John Day, […], published 1562, →OCLC, folios 5, verso – 6, recto:
   • Let not search and inquisition quail / To bring again these foolish runaways. c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:
2. (countable, sometimes, uncountable) An inquiry or investigation into the truth of some matter. ▸ Such an investigation that is asserted to be persecutory by its adversaries.
3. (countable, uncountable) An inquest.
4. (countable, uncountable) A questioning.
5. (countable, uncountable) The finding of a jury, especially such a finding under a writ of inquiry.
   • The justices in eyre had it formerly in charge to make inquisition concerning them by a jury of the county. 1765–1769, William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England, (please specify |book=I to IV), Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] Clarendon Press, →OCLC:

Forms

Deriveds

inquisitional · literary inquisition · inquisition post mortem · inquisitionist

Synonyms

disquisition · disquisition

Translations (9)

es investigación (questioning) · es inquisición (questioning) · bg разпит (questioning) · bg разследване (inquiry or investigation into the truth of some matter) · eo inkvizicio (inquiry or investigation into the truth of some matter) · eo enketo (inquiry or investigation into the truth of some matter) · tr engizisyon (inquiry or investigation into the truth of some matter) · es inquisición (inquiry or investigation into the truth of some matter) · fi inkvisitio (inquiry or investigation into the truth of some matter)

inquisition en · VERB

Pronunciation

• /ˌɪŋkwɪˈzɪʃən/
• (US) audio

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.

Meanings

1. (obsolete) To make inquisition concerning; to inquire into.
   • And in their name I shall for neither friend nor foe conceal what the general murmur is ; that if it come to inquisitioning again 1644, John Milton, Areopagitica; a Speech of Mr. John Milton for the Liberty of Unlicenc’d Printing, to the Parlament of England, London: [s.n.], →OCLC:

Forms