Inquisitorial

Part of speech: adjective (a.)

1. Pertaining to inquisition; making rigorous and unfriendly inquiry; searching; as, inquisitorial power. "Illiberal and inquisitorial abuse." F. Blackburne. 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.

2. Pertaining to the Court of Inquisition or resembling its practices. "Inquisitorial robes." C. Buchanan.