inquisition
[noun]
Synonyms: investigation, cross-examination, examination, grilling (informal), inquest, inquiry, questioning, third degree (informal)

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

Inquisition, the
an official Roman Catholic organization which tried to find and punish heretics (=people with unacceptable religious beliefs) during the Middle Ages, and which is known for the cruel ways that it tortured(torture) and killed people. The most famous part of the organization was the Spanish Inquisition, led in the 15th century by Tomás de Torquemada.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

in‧qui‧si‧tion /ˌɪŋkwəˈzɪʃən, ˌɪŋkwɪˈzɪʃən/ noun
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: Latin inquirere; ⇒ inquire]

1. the Inquisition a Roman Catholic organization in the past whose aim was to find and punish people who had unacceptable religious beliefs

2. [countable usually singular] a series of questions that someone asks you in a threatening or unpleasant way:
I had to face a two-hour inquisition from my parents about where I’d been.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲