inquisitorial
UK[ɪnˌkwɪzɪˈtɔːriəl]US[ɪnˌkwɪzɪˈtɔːriəl]
adj
relating to or resembling the methods of an inquisitor, especially in being harshly questioning or investigative.
adj
relating to a legal system where the judge actively investigates the case, as opposed to an adversarial system.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
quisit
orial
in
into, in, on, upon
quisit
to seek, ask
orial
relating to, characterized by
Etymology
the word 'inquisitorial' is built upon the latin verb 'inquirere', which itself is a compound of 'in-' (into) and 'quaerere' (to seek, ask). the core morpheme 'quisit' derives from the past participle stem of this verb, carrying the sense of 'having been sought into'. the suffix '-orial' forms an adjective meaning 'pertaining to'. historically, an inquisitor was an official investigator, most famously in ecclesiastical contexts. therefore, 'inquisitorial' literally means 'relating to one who seeks into', evolving to describe a harshly probing manner or a legal system centered on judicial investigation, contrasting with an adversarial approach where parties oppose each other.
Analysis
Structure: in + quisit + orial
in (latin origin, a prefix meaning 'into, in, on, upon')
quisit (latin origin, from the root of 'quaerere' meaning 'to seek, ask')
orial (latin origin, an adjectival suffix meaning 'relating to, characterized by')
Examples
the lawyer complained about the judge's inquisitorial tone during the cross-examination.
many european countries employ an inquisitorial system of justice.
her inquisitorial stare made me feel like i was hiding something.