inquisition

(in-kwi-zish’on), n. [= F. inquisi- tion = Pr. inquisicio = Sp. in qui sic i on = Pg. inquisicéo = It. inquisizione, inquisition tugal, the Netherlands, and the Spanish and Portuguese colonies, The influence of the Inquisition diminished in the eighteenth century. It was suppre ed in France in 1772, in Portugal under John VI. (died spe and in Spain finally in 1834. The Congregation of the Holy Office still exists as a branch of the papal system, but its chief concern is now with heretical literature.— Inquisition of the dead, a ace post mortem, in Jaw, an inquest had to determine the devolution of property by escheat on the death of one leaving no heirs.=Syn. 1, _Lnvestigation, Scrutiny, etc. See examination.