inquisitorial
adj 1: especially indicating a form of prosecution in which
proceedings are secret and the accused is questioned by a
prosecutor who acts also as the judge [ant:
{accusatorial}]
2: marked by inquisitive interest; especially suggestive of an
ecclesiastical inquisitor; "the press was inquisitorial to
the point of antagonism"; "a practical police force with true
inquisitorial talents"- Waldo Frank
3: having the authority to conduct official investigations; "the
inquisitorial power of the Senate"
Inquisitorial \In*quis`i*to"ri*al\, a. [Cf. F. inquisitorial.]
1. Pertaining to inquisition; making rigorous and unfriendly
inquiry; searching; as, inquisitorial power. "Illiberal
and inquisitorial abuse." --F. Blackburne.
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He conferred on it a kind of inquisitorial and
censorious power even over the laity, and directed
it to inquire into all matters of conscience.
--Hume.
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2. Pertaining to the Court of Inquisition or resembling its
practices. "Inquisitorial robes." --C. Buchanan.
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