Inquisition, n.
Etymology: [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.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Inquisition, v. t.
To make inquisistion concerning; to inquire into. [Obs.] Milton.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for inquisition; he lists it under hunt.
Where he writes about it:
Figuratively, we speak of literary pursuits, or of the pursuit of knowledge; a search for reasons; the chase of fame or honor; hunt, in figurative use, inclines to the unfavorable sense of inquisition, but with more of dash and aggressiveness; as, a hunt for heresy. — from hunt