inquisition

1) an official investigation characterized by prejudice, lack of regard for human rights, and cruelty; 2) any harsh, protracted investigation; 3) the act of inquiring

Neither Spain nor Europe has a monopoly on inquisitions; they occur wherever nonconformists are sought out, tortured, given a perfunctory trial, and condemned on fraudulent charges.

Related English words:  inquisitional, inquisitionist, inquisitor

Latin root words: quaero, quaerere, quaesivi, quaesitus - to seek, search for; inquisitio, inquisitionis, f. - searching after; investigation; inquisitor, inquisitoris, m. - inquirer, investigator

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