Inquisition

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language

·noun Judicial inquiry; official examination; inquest.

II. Inquisition ·vt To make inquisistion concerning; to inquire into.

III. Inquisition ·noun The finding of a jury, especially such a finding under a writ of inquiry.

IV. Inquisition ·noun The act of inquiring; inquiry; search; examination; inspection; investigation.

V. Inquisition ·noun 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.