(adj) 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, Ant. accusatorial
(adj) marked by inquisitive interest; especially suggestive of an ecclesiastical inquisitor; ; - Waldo Frank, Example:the press was inquisitorial to the point of antagonism; a practical police force with true inquisitorial talents
a. [ Cf. F. inquisitorial. ] 1. Pertaining to inquisition; making rigorous and unfriendly inquiry; searching; as, inquisitorial power. “Illiberal and inquisitorial abuse.” F. Blackburne. [ 1913 Webster ]
He conferred on it a kind of inquisitorial and censorious power even over the laity, and directed it to inquire into all matters of conscience. Hume. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Pertaining to the Court of Inquisition or resembling its practices. “Inquisitorial robes.” C. Buchanan. [ 1913 Webster ]