inquisitor

American  

[in-kwiz-i-ter] / ɪnˈkwɪz ɪ tər /

noun

1. a person who makes an inquisition.

2. a questioner, especially an unduly curious or harsh one.

3. a person who investigates in an official capacity.

4. a member of the Inquisition.

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inquisitor British  

/ ɪnˈkwɪzɪtə /

noun

1. a person who inquires, esp deeply, searchingly, or ruthlessly

2. (often capital) an official of the ecclesiastical court of the Inquisition

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Etymology

Origin of inquisitor

1495–1505; < Latin inquīsītor, equivalent to inquīsī-, variant stem of inquīrere to inquire + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

Why, his inquisitor demanded, had Dillon, Read taken a disproportionate share of the profit from the funds it managed for the public?

From The Wall Street Journal

Miller also pointed to the dichotomy of Porter’s terse reaction in the television interview to Porter championing herself in Congress as a fearless and aggressive inquisitor of CEOs and government leaders.

From Los Angeles Times

When an administrator would question him, the man would say he was looking for a teacher or student to throw off the inquisitor.

From Los Angeles Times

You tell me, her inquisitor throws back at her, and she concludes somewhat hollowly, “I don’t know.”

From Salon

Eriksson was an engaging, courteous character with an uncanny ability to smile as he deflected away various personal scandals, never allowing his inquisitors to lay a glove on him.

From BBC

Related Words

• interrogator