Inquisition

1. 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.
2. The finding of a jury, especially such a finding under a writ of inquiry.
3. To make inquisistion concerning; to inquire into.
4. Judicial inquiry; official examination; inquest.
5. The act of inquiring; inquiry; search; examination; inspection; investigation.