Category:Inquisition

In`qui*si"tion, n. Etym: [L. inquisitio : cf. F. inquisition. See Inquire, and cf. Inquest.]

1. The act of inquiring; inquiry; search; examination; inspection; investigation. As I could learn through earnest inquisition. Latimer. Let not search and inquisition quail To bring again these foolish runaways. Shak.

2. (Law) (a) Judicial inquiry; official examination; inquest. (b) The finding of a jury, especially such a finding under a writ of inquiry. Bouvier. The justices in eyre had it formerly in charge to make inquisition concerning them by a jury of the county. Blackstone.

3. (R. C. Ch.)

Defn: 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 In`qui*si"tion, v. t.

Defn: To make inquisistion concerning; to inquire into. [Obs.] Milton.