AUTO-DA-FE • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Auto-da-fe

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

Listen

noun

auto-da-fe n. (pl. autos-da-fé)

A judgment of the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal condemning or acquitting persons accused of religious offenses.

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.

Hence: (Fig.) The public denunciation or punishment of a person who has offended the prevailing authorities.

A session of the court of Inquisition.

See images of 'Auto-da-fe'

Etymology of 'Auto-da-fe'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

Add this dictionary
to your browser search bar

"Auto-da-fe" Quotes from Famous Books

... written by the astrologer Manetho. The whole city was agitated, and searches proved that many young men preferred the study of the illicit science to that of Roman law. By order of the bishop a solemn auto-da-fe was made of all this literature, in the presence of the city officials and the clergy, and the most revolting passages were read in public, "in order to acquaint everybody with the conceited and vain promises of the demons," ...

— The Oriental Religions in Roman Paganism • Franz Cumont

... fire. Meanwhile, Mrs. Wiggins rose and took a step or two that she might assist should there be any positive danger, for she had not yet reached a point of malignity which would lead her to witness calmly an auto-da-fe. This was Jane's opportunity. Mrs. Wiggins had alienated this small and hitherto friendly power, and now, with a returning impulse of loyalty, it took sides with the weaker party. The kitchen door was on a crack; the child pushed it noiselessly open, darted around behind the ...

— He Fell in Love with His Wife • Edward P. Roe

... plead that he was obliged to do these things by the nature of his office. The persecutors of the Jews cannot even shelter themselves under such a plea as that. Indeed, if they be blameless, then is the Spanish Inquisition blameless also; the Auto-da-Fe being, in the last result, certainly the result of the civil power. In short, the charges and recommendations of the Jews against their persecutors are of such enormity as to make them, it is to be hoped, if they be conscious of their innocence, ...

— Diaries of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, Volume I • Sir Moses Montefiore

Words linked to "Auto-da-fe" : Kingdom of Spain, Spain, burning at the stake