ˌtȯ(r)k(w)əˈmä]də, -mȧ], ]thə\ noun
( -s )
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: after Tomas de Torquemada died 1498, Spanish Dominican monk and first inquisitor general for all Spanish possessions
: persecutor
the youthful and ubiquitous Torquemadas who serve as the subcommittee's chief counsel and chief consultant — R.H.Rovere