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Inquisitor: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ•ต๏ธโ€โ™‚๏ธ
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inquisitor

 

[ษชล‹หˆkwษชzษชtษ™r ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

religious

An inquisitor is a person who is authorized by a church or other organization to conduct inquiries, especially to suppress heresy.

Synonyms

examiner, interrogator, investigator.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
inquisitor

An 'inquisitor' often has a more negative connotation, suggesting someone who is aggressively or ruthlessly questioning or investigating someone, often without regard for fairness.

  • The journalist turned inquisitor when interviewing the scandal-ridden politician.
  • The historical inquisitor was known for his harsh methods during the trials.
interrogator

An 'interrogator' usually refers to someone who formally questions a person, often in a law enforcement or military context, sometimes using intense methods to obtain information.

  • The interrogator spent hours questioning the suspect to get a confession.
  • Interrogators need to be trained to handle high-pressure situations effectively.
investigator

An 'investigator' is someone who conducts a thorough and detailed inquiry into a matter, often related to crimes, scientific research, or complex problems, aiming to uncover the truth.

  • The private investigator was hired to find the missing person.
  • The scientific investigator published groundbreaking findings on climate change.
examiner

An 'examiner' is typically someone who assesses or evaluates a person, their work, or a situation, often in an academic or official capacity.

  • The examiner reviewed the students' theses meticulously.
  • An examiner from the insurance firm evaluated the damage to the property.

Examples of usage

  • The inquisitor questioned the accused heretic.
  • The inquisitor was known for his ruthless methods in dealing with dissenters.
Context #2 | Noun

historical

In the historical context, an inquisitor was a member of a special tribunal responsible for prosecuting offenses against the doctrine and practice of the Roman Catholic Church.

Synonyms

arbiter, judge, prosecutor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
inquisitor

Typically used in historical or literary contexts to describe a person who is harshly questioning or investigating someone. Often associated with the Spanish Inquisition or similar scenarios. The word often carries a negative connotation, implying harsh or unfair treatment.

  • The detective's relentless questioning made him feel like he was facing an inquisitor.
  • During the medieval times, many feared the inquisitor's arrival in their village.
prosecutor

Refers to a lawyer who conducts the case against a defendant in a criminal court. This term is specific to legal contexts and has no general, neutral use outside of this framework.

  • The prosecutor presented strong evidence proving the defendant's guilt.
  • She aspired to become a prosecutor to fight against crime and corruption.
judge

Commonly used in legal contexts to describe a person who presides over a court and makes decisions on legal matters. It can also be used more generally for someone who makes decisions or forms opinions.

  • The judge handed down a fair sentence after considering all the evidence.
  • He was chosen to judge the singing competition due to his vast experience in music.
arbiter

Used to refer to a person who has the authority to resolve a dispute or make a decision. Often used in formal or legal contexts but can also apply to any situation where someone is judged to have expertise and neutrality.

  • The art critic acted as an arbiter of taste in the community.
  • In the contract, it was stated that an arbiter would resolve any conflicts.

Examples of usage

  • The Spanish Inquisition was notorious for its use of inquisitors to root out heresy.
  • Inquisitors were feared for their power and authority during the Middle Ages.

Translations

Translations of the word "inquisitor" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น inquisidor

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค‡เคจเฅเค•เฅเคตเคฟเคœเคผเคฟเคŸเคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Inquisitor

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ inkuisitor

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั–ะฝะบะฒั–ะทะธั‚ะพั€

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ inkwizytor

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅฏฉๅ•ๅฎ˜ (shimonkan)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท inquisiteur

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ inquisidor

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท engizitรถr

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ข…๊ต ์žฌํŒ๊ด€ (jonggyo jaepangwan)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ูุชุด

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ inkvizitor

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ inkvizรญtor

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฎก้—ฎๅ‘˜ (shฤ›nwรจnyuรกn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ inkvizitor

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ rannsรณknardรณmari

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะดั–ะฝ ั‚ะตะบัะตั€ัƒัˆั–

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ˜แƒœแƒ™แƒ•แƒ˜แƒ–แƒ˜แƒขแƒแƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ inkvizitor

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ inquisidor

Etymology

The word 'inquisitor' has its roots in the Latin word 'inquisitorem', which means 'one who searches into or inquires'. The term became widely known during the Inquisition period, where inquisitors were appointed to investigate and eradicate heresy. The role of inquisitors evolved over time, and they became synonymous with interrogation, investigation, and prosecution in various contexts.

See also: inquire, inquirer, inquiring, inquiringly, inquiry, inquisitive, inquisitiveness.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,004, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.