| n. | 1. | A judgment of the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal condemning or acquitting persons accused of religious offenses. |
| 2. | An execution of such sentence, by the civil power, esp. the burning of a heretic. It was usually held on Sunday, and was made a great public solemnity by impressive forms and ceremonies. | |
| 3. | A session of the court of Inquisition. |
| Noun | 1. | auto-da-fe - the burning to death of heretics (as during the Spanish Inquisition) |