Part 265

In`qui*si"tion (?), n. [L. inquisitio : cf. F. inquisition. See Inquire, and cf. Inquest.] 1. The act of inquiring; inquiry; search; examination; inspection; investigation.

As I could learn through earnest inquisition.

Latimer.

Let not search and inquisition quail To bring again these foolish runaways.

Shak.

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.

3. (R. C. Ch.) 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.

In`qui*si"tion, v. t. To make inquisition concerning; to inquire into. [Obs.] Milton.

In`qui*si"tion*al (?), a. [LL. inquisitionalis.] Relating to inquiry or inquisition; inquisitorial; also, of or pertaining to, or characteristic of, the Inquisition.

All the inquisitional rigor . . . executed upon books.

Milton.

In`qui*si"tion*a*ry, (&?;), a. [Cf. F. inquisitionnaire.] [R.] Inquisitional.

In*quis"i*tive (?), a. [OE. inquisitif, F. inquisitif.] 1. Disposed to ask questions, especially in matters which do not concern the inquirer.

A wise man is not inquisitive about things impertinent.

Broome.

2. Given to examination, investigation, or research; searching; curious.

A young, inquisitive, and sprightly genius.

I. Watts.

Syn. -- Inquiring; prying; curious; meddling; intrusive. - - Inquisitive, Curious, Prying. Curious denotes a feeling, and inquisitive a habit. We are curious when we desire to learn something new; we are inquisitive when we set ourselves to gain it by inquiry or research. Prying implies inquisitiveness, and is more commonly used in a bad sense, as indicating a desire to penetrate into the secrets of others.

curious are to hear, What happens new.

Milton.

This folio of four pages [a newspaper], happy work! Which not even critics criticise; that holds Inquisitive attention, while I read.

Cowper.

Nor need we with a prying eye survey The distant skies, to find the Milky Way.

Creech.

In*quis"i*tive, n. A person who is inquisitive; one curious in research. Sir W. Temple.