Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Inquisition
1.
The act of inquiring; inquiry; search; examination; inspection; investigation.
As I could learn through earnest
inquisition
. Latimer.
Let not search and
To bring again these foolish runaways.
inquisition
quailTo bring again these foolish runaways.
Shakespeare
2.
(Law)
(a)
Judicial inquiry; official examination; inquest.
(b)
The finding of a jury, especially such a finding under a writ of inquiry.
Bouvier.
The justices in eyre had it formerly in charge to make
inquisition
concerning them by a jury of the county. Blackstone.
3.
(R. C. Ch.)
A court or tribunal for the examination and punishment of heretics, fully established by Pope Gregory IX. in 1235. Its operations were chiefly confined to Spain, Portugal, and their dependencies, and a part of Italy.
Inˊqui-si′tion
,Verb.
T.
To make inquisition concerning; to inquire into.
[Obs.]
Milton.
Webster 1828 Edition
Inquisition
INQUISI'TION
,Noun.
1.
Inquiry; examination; a searching or search. Ps.9.2.
Judicial inquiry; official examination; inquest. The justices in eyre had it formerly in charge to make inquisition concerning them by a jury of the county.
3.
Examination; discussion.4.
In some catholic countries, a court or tribunal established for the examination and punishment of heretics. This court was established in the twelfth century by father Dominic, who was charged by pope Innocent III. with orders to excite catholic princes and people to extirpate heretics.