好词典

inquisition

UK /ˌɪnkwɪˈzɪʃən/US /ˌɪnkwəˈzɪʃən/

词源

源自拉丁语 'inquisitio'(调查),由 'inquirere'(询问、调查)演变而来,14世纪通过古法语进入英语。

noun

❶ 指历史上对异端或异见者进行的严厉审讯或调查,尤指中世纪天主教的宗教法庭。常用于描述不公正的严厉审查。

“The Spanish Inquisition was notorious for its harsh methods.”

(西班牙宗教法庭因其残酷手段而臭名昭著。)

“He felt like he was under an inquisition when the police questioned him.”

(当警察审问他时,他感觉自己像是在遭受严酷的审讯。)

❶ 广义上指任何严厉或持续的质问、调查,带有负面含义,暗示压迫性或过度侵入。

“The journalist faced an inquisition from the angry crowd.”

(记者面对愤怒人群的连番质问。)

“Tax audits can sometimes feel like financial inquisitions.”

(税务审计有时让人感觉像是财务审查。)

同义词:interrogation, grilling, cross-examination, investigation, witch-hunt

常见短语

the Inquisition — 特指历史上天主教会建立的宗教法庭系统,用于镇压异端,尤指15-19世纪的西班牙宗教法庭。

“Galileo was persecuted by the Inquisition for supporting heliocentrism.”

(伽利略因支持日心说而遭到宗教法庭迫害。)

put someone through an inquisition — 对某人进行严厉或苛刻的审问,使其感到压力或不适。

“The detective put the suspect through an inquisition that lasted six hours.”

(侦探对嫌疑人进行了长达六小时的严厉审讯。)