Ĭn/qui-ṣĭ'tion1, n.
(ĭn/kwĭ-zĭsh'un), n. [Lat. inquisitio, Fr. inquisition, Pr. inquisicio, Sp. inquisicion, It. inquisizione. See INQUIRE.]
Sense 1. The act of inquiring; inquiry; examination; investigation. “As far forth as I could learn through earnest inquisition.” Latimer.
Let not search and inquisition fail To bring again these foolish runaways. Shak.
Sense 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.
Sense 3. (Rom. Cath. Church.) A court or tribunal established for the examination and punishment of heretics. This court was established in the twelfth century by Pope Innocent III. for the suppression of heresy. It was confined to Spain and its dependencies, Portugal, and part of Italy.