■ noun
1》 a period of prolonged and intensive questioning.
2》 ( the Inquisition ) an ecclesiastical tribunal established c. 1232 for the suppression of heresy, notorious for its use of torture.
3》 historical a judicial or official inquiry.
Derivatives
~al adjective
Origin
ME: via OFr. from L. inquisitio(n-) 'examination', from inquirere (see enquire ).