Auto-da-fe

·noun A session of the court of Inquisition.

II. Auto-da-fe ·noun A judgment of the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal condemning or acquitting persons accused of religious offenses.

III. Auto-da-fe ·noun An execution of such sentence, by the civil power, ·esp. the burning of a heretic. It was usually held on Sunday, and was made a great public solemnity by impressive forms and ceremonies.