inquisitor

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a person who asks questions in a searching, persistent, or harsh manner

   The witness remained calm while her inquisitor pressed for exact dates.

2. 2
   noun

   an official or judge of the historical Roman Catholic Inquisition

   The inquisitor examined the accusation before the ecclesiastical court.

From Old French inquisiteur and Latin inquisitor ("searcher, examiner"), from inquirere ("to seek into, investigate"). Its institutional sense refers specifically to officials of the Inquisition; the general sense extends their reputation for severe questioning.

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