Inquisition
/ɪnkwɪˈzɪʃən/
Definitions
2 meaningsA period of harsh investigation, often involving extensive questioning and sometimes torture, especially formerly by a religious or political authority.
/ɪnkwɪˈzɪʃən/
A period of prolonged and intensive questioning or investigation.
The defendant endured a grueling inquisition by the prosecutor.
💡 Simply: It's like a really intense interview or investigation where people ask a lot of questions, sometimes in a harsh way, to find out the truth or punish someone.
👶 For kids: It's when grown-ups ask lots and lots of questions to find out what happened, like a detective solving a mystery, but it can be scary sometimes.
More Examples
The committee launched an inquisition into the company's financial practices.
The artist felt that her work was under an inquisition of critical analysis.
How It's Used
"The Spanish Inquisition was infamous for its persecution of heretics."
"The journalist faced an inquisition from the public regarding the accuracy of her report."
"The defense lawyer prepared for the inquisition of the witnesses during the cross-examination"
A formal or official inquiry or examination, often conducted by a legal or governmental body.
/ɪnkwɪˈzɪʃən/
A formal investigation or trial, especially one of a judicial or quasi-judicial nature.
The court ordered an inquisition into the company's business practices.
💡 Simply: It's an official investigation or trial to find out the truth about something, like a special court case.
👶 For kids: Like when the police look for clues to solve a problem or when you have a class to find out more about something
More Examples
The inquisition aimed to uncover any wrongdoing.
The coroner conducted an inquisition into the suspicious death.
How It's Used
"The legal inquisition aimed to determine the cause of the accident."
Idioms & expressions
Spanish Inquisition
Refers to the tribunal established in 1478 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. It was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms and was notorious for its severity and persecution of non-Catholics.
"The Spanish Inquisition is remembered for its harsh treatment of those suspected of heresy."
From Latin *inquisitio* ('an investigation, inquiry'), derived from the verb *inquirere* ('to inquire, search into'). Historically, it refers to formal investigations, particularly those conducted by the Catholic Church during the medieval and early modern periods.
Historically used to describe the investigations conducted by religious and political authorities to suppress heresy and dissent.
Memory tip
Imagine a room with bright lights and relentless questioning—this is the essence of an inquisition.