inquisition

Definition of inquisition

Proper noun

Inquisition

1. a tribunal of the Roman Catholic Church set up to investigate and suppress heresy
2. (by extension) a harsh or rigorous interrogation that violates the rights of an individual

Pronunciation

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Noun

inquisition (plural inquisitions)

1. an investigation or inquiry into the truth of some matter
2. an inquest
3. a questioning

Derived terms

• inquisition post mortem

Further reading

The Inquisition, Inquisitio Haereticae Pravitatis (inquiry on heretical perversity), was the "fight against heretics" by several institutions within the justice-system of the Roman Catholic Church. It started in the 12th century, with the introduction of torture in the persecution of heresy.[1] Inquisition practices were used also on offences against canon law other than heresy.

Definition

The term Inquisition can apply to any one of several institutions which fought against heretics (or other offenders against canon law) within the justice-system of the Roman Catholic Church. The term "Inquisition" is usually applied to that of the Catholic Church. It may also refer to:[2]

• an ecclesiastical tribunal
• the institution of the Catholic Church for combating heresy
• a number of historical expurgation movements against heresy (orchestrated by some groups/individuals within the Catholic Church or within a Catholic state)
• the trial of an individual accused of heresy.

Generally, the Inquisition movement was concerned only with the heretical behaviour of Catholic adherents or converts, and did not concern itself with those outside its jurisdiction, such as Jews or Muslims.[3]

References

1. Lea, Henry Charles (1888). "Chapter VII. The Inquisition Founded". A History of the Inquisition In The Middle Ages. 1. ISBN 1152296213. Retrieved 2009-11-26. "The judicial use of torture was as yet happily unknown [...]"
2. Medieval Sourcebook: Inquisition - Introduction
3. Salomon, H. P. and Sassoon, I. S. D., in Saraiva, Antonio Jose. The Marrano Factory. The Portuguese Inquisition and Its New Christians, 1536-1765 (Brill, 2001), Introduction pp. XXX.