Tor ‧ que ‧ ma ‧ da, Tom ‧ ás de /ˌtɔːkwɪˈmɑːdə $ ˌtɔːr-, ˈtɒməs də $ təʊˈmɑːs-/ BrE AmE
(1420–98) a Spanish Christian leader who started the Spanish ↑ inquisition , the Roman Catholic organization that persecuted (↑ persecute ) and punished ↑ heretic s (=people whose religious beliefs are considered unacceptable) . He is known for hurting and killing thousands of people in very cruel ways.