inquisitorial

Definition of Inquisitorial in English :

1. inquisitorial

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

2. inquisitorial

marked by inquisitive interest; especially suggestive of an ecclesiastical inquisitor

Example Sentences:
'the press was inquisitorial to the point of antagonism'
'a practical police force with true inquisitorial talents'

3. inquisitorial

having the authority to conduct official investigations

Example Sentences:
'the inquisitorial power of the Senate'

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Inquisitorial

adjective

1.

of, relating to, or resembling inquisition or an inquisitor

2.

offensively curious; prying

3. law

denoting criminal procedure in which one party is both prosecutor and judge, or in which the trial is held in secret

Compare accusatorial (sense 2)

adjective

1.

of or like an inquisitor or inquisition

2.

inquisitive; prying

adj.

1. Of, relating to, or having the function of an inquisitor.

2. Law Relating to a legal proceeding in which the judge is both actively involved in determining the facts and in deciding the outcome.

3. Extremely inquisitive or prying: "a sharp inquisitorial gaze" (Michael Chabon).