inquisition

plural inquisitions

1. countableuncountableAn inquiry or investigation into the truth of some matter.

   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]

   1 more example

   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

   Synonyms: disquisition

   1. countablesometimesuncountableSuch an investigation that is asserted to be persecutory by its adversaries.

      Synonyms: disquisition

2. countableuncountableAn inquest.
3. countableuncountableA questioning.
4. countableuncountableThe 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

present singular third person inquisitions · participle present inquisitioning · participle past inquisitioned · past inquisitioned

1. obsoleteTo 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

1. historicalA tribunal of the Roman Catholic Church set up to investigate and suppress heresy.

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   We know from history that the Catholic Church has historically murdered, mutilated, castrated, maimed, imprisoned and flogged homosexuals. Catholic atrocities during the Inquisition are well documented and cannot be denied. The Church no longer does those things to homosexuals, but it violates their human rights in other ways.

   1981 December 27, John Rupkey, “Leading The Way In Persecution”, in Gay Community News, volume 9, number 23, page 4

2. broadlyA harsh or rigorous interrogation that violates one’s rights.