| inquest | A legal inquiry into the cause of sudden, violent, or mysterious death. Origin: L. In, in, + quaero, pp. Quaesitus, to seek (05 Mar 2000) |
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| inquiline | <zoology> A gallfly which deposits its eggs in galls formed by other insects. Origin: L. Inquilinus a tenant, lodger. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| inquiline parasite | See: inquiline. (05 Mar 2000) |
| inquiry | Origin: See Inquire Alternative forms: enquiry. 1. The act of inquiring; a seeking for information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning. "He could no path nor track of foot descry, Nor by inquiry learn, nor guess by aim." (Spenser) "The men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate." (Acts x. 17) 2. Search for truth, information, or knoledge; examination into facts or principles; research; invextigation; as, physical inquiries. "All that is wanting to the perfection of this art will undoubtedly be found, if able men . . . Will make inquiry into it." (Dryden) Court of inquiry. See Court. Writ of inquiry, a writ issued in certain actions at law, where the defendant has suffered judgment to pass against him by default, in order to ascertain and assess the plaintiff's damages, where they can not readily be ascertained by mere calculation. Burrill. Synonym: Interrogation, interrogatory, question, query, scrutiny, investigation, research, examination. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| inquisition | 1. The act of inquiring; inquiry; search; examination; inspection; investigation. "As I could learn through earnest inquisition." (Latimer) "Let not search and inquisition quail To bring again these foolish runaways." (Shak) 2. Judicial inquiry; official examination; inquest. The finding of a jury, especially such a finding under a writ of inquiry. "The justices in eyre had it formerly in charge to make inquisition concerning them by a jury of the county." (Blackstone) 3. A court or tribunal for the examination and punishment of heretics, fully established by Pope Gregory IX. In 1235. Its operations were chiefly confined to Spain, Portugal, and their dependencies, and a part of Italy. Origin: L. Inquisitio: cf. F. Inquisition. See Inquire, and cf. Inquest. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| inquisitively | In an inquisitive manner. "The occasion that made him afterwards so inquisitively apply himself to the study of physic." (Boyle) Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| inquisitor | 1. An inquisitive person; one fond of asking questions. "Inquisitors are tatlers." 2. One whose official duty it is to examine and inquire, as coroners, sheriffs, etc. 3. A member of the Court of Inquisition. Origin: L., cf. F. Inquisiteur. See Inquire. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |