inquisitorial
- (a) 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
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(s) marked by inquisitive interest; especially suggestive of an ecclesiastical inquisitor
- the press was inquisitorial to the point of antagonism
- "a practical police force with true inquisitorial talents"- Waldo Frank
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(s) having the authority to conduct official investigations
- the inquisitorial power of the Senate