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INQUISITORIAL
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Dictionary entry overview: What does inquisitorial mean?
• INQUISITORIAL (adjective)
The adjective INQUISITORIAL has 3 senses:
1. especially indicating a form of prosecution in which proceedings are secret and the accused is questioned by a prosecutor who acts also as the judge
2. marked by inquisitive interest; especially suggestive of an ecclesiastical inquisitor
3. having the authority to conduct official investigations
Familiarity information: INQUISITORIAL used as an adjective is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Especially indicating a form of prosecution in which proceedings are secret and the accused is questioned by a prosecutor who acts also as the judge
Classified under:
Relational adjectives (pertainyms)
Antonym:
accusatorial (specifically indicating a form of prosecution in which one is publicly accused of and tried for a crime and in which the judge is not also the prosecutor)
Pertainym:
inquisitor (a questioner who is excessively harsh)
Derivation:
inquisitor (a questioner who is excessively harsh)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Marked by inquisitive interest; especially suggestive of an ecclesiastical inquisitor
Context example:
a practical police force with true inquisitorial talents
Similar:
inquiring (given to inquiry)
Derivation:
Inquisitor (an official of the ecclesiastical court of the Inquisition)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Having the authority to conduct official investigations
Context example:
the inquisitorial power of the Senate
Similar:
inquiring (given to inquiry)
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