INQUISITION

inquisition. inquisition, searching, or inquiring.

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inquisition. Inquisition, n. a judicial enquiry, a cruel court

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In′qui‐si″tion (?), n. [[L. inquisitio : cf. F. inquisition. See Inquire, and cf. Inquest.]] 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. (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. 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.