Definition of inquisition Inquisition

/ɪˌnkwʌzɪˈʃʌn/ - [inkwuzishun] - In•qui•si•tion

We found 15 definitions of inquisition from 7 different sources.

What does inquisition mean?

Noun Plural: inquisitions
inquisition - a former tribunal of the Roman Catholic Church (1232-1820) created to discover and suppress heresy
		tribunal, judicature, court respectful deference; "pay court to the emperor"
inquisition - a severe interrogation (often violating the rights or privacy of individuals)

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inquisition (Noun)
An investigation or inquiry into the truth of some matter.
inquisition (Noun)
An inquest.
inquisition (Noun)
A questioning.
inquisition (Verb)
To make inquisition concerning; to inquire into.

inquisition (n.)
The act of inquiring; inquiry; search; examination; inspection; investigation.
inquisition (n.)
Judicial inquiry; official examination; inquest.
inquisition (n.)
The finding of a jury, especially such a finding under a writ of inquiry.
inquisition (n.)
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.
inquisition (v. t.)
To make inquisistion concerning; to inquire into.

inquisition
Any one of several institutions charged with trying and convicting heretics (or other offenders against canon law) within the justice-system of the Roman Catholic Church.

inquisition
in-kwi-zish′un, n. an inquiring or searching for: investigation: judicial inquiry: a tribunal in the R.C. Church, called also 'the Holy Office,' for the discovery, repression and punishment of heresy, unbelief, and other offences against religion.—v.t. (Milt.), to investigate.—adjs. Inquisit′ional, making inquiry: relating to the Inquisition: Inquis′itive, searching into: apt to ask questions: curious.—adv. Inquis′itively.—ns. Inquis′itiveness; Inquis′itor, one who inquires: an official inquirer: a member of the Court of Inquisition.—adj. Inquisitō′rial.—adv. Inquisitō′rially.—n. Inquis′itress, an inquisitive woman.—adj. Inquisitū′rient (Milt.), inquisitorial.—Grand Inquisitor, the chief in a Court of Inquisition. [L. inquisition-em. See Inquire.]

The Inquisition is the name for a number of judgments. The Catholic Church did most of them, for heresy. In the Middle Ages, heresy was common. There were also special people to judge these heresies. The usual punishment for those who were found guilty was death. There were several movements, and waves of inquisition.

The word Inquisition comes from Latin "quaerere". That means to "to turn", "to ask a question".