Tor‧que‧ma‧da, Tom‧ás de /ˌtɔːkwɪˈmɑːdə $ ˌtɔːr-, ˈtɒməs də $ təʊˈmɑːs-/
(1420–98) a Spanish Christian leader who started the Spanish inquisition, the Roman Catholic organization that persecuted (persecute) and punished heretics (=people whose religious beliefs are considered unacceptable). He is known for hurting and killing thousands of people in very cruel ways.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲