[in.qui.si.tion] n [ME inquisicioun, fr. MF inquisition, fr. L inquisition-, inquisitio, fr. inquirere] (14c) 1: the act of inquiring: examination
2: a judicial or official inquiry or examination usu. before a jury; also: the finding of the jury 3 a cap: a former Roman Catholic tribunal for the discovery and punishment of heresy b: an investigation conducted with little regard for individual rights c: a severe questioning -- in.qui.si.tion.al adj