D defs.my
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Entry 4 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Inquisition

/ĭnˌ-kwəz-ĭsh'-ən/ · In·qui·si·tion · IPA /ˌɪŋkwɪˈzɪʃən/
01 n. The act of inquiring; inquiry; search; examination; inspection; investigation.
  1. 1.
    The act of inquiring; inquiry; search; examination; inspection; investigation.
    “As I could learn through earnest inquisition.” — Latimer.
    “Let not search and inquisition quail To bring again these foolish runaways.” — Shak.
  2. 2.
    Judicial inquiry; official examination; inquest.(Law)
    “The justices in eyre had it formerly in charge to make inquisition concerning them by a jury of the county.” — Blackstone.
  3. 3.
    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.(R. C. Ch.)
02 v. t. To make inquisition concerning; to inquire into.
  1. 1.
    To make inquisition concerning; to inquire into.[Obs.]