Inquisition
WordNet
noun
(1) A severe interrogation (often violating the rights or privacy of individuals)
(2) A former tribunal of the Roman Catholic Church (1232-1820) created to discover and suppress heresy
WiktionaryText
Proper noun
Inquisition
- a tribunal of the Roman Catholic Church set up to investigate and suppress heresy
- a harsh or rigorous interrogation that violates the rights of an individual