auto-da-fé

Definition

1. Noun (plural: ):
   • A public ceremony of the Spanish Inquisition: "auto-da-fé" refers to the ritual of pronouncing judgment and carrying out the execution of heretics, typically by burning at the stake, during the Spanish Inquisition. The term literally means "act of faith" in Portuguese.
   • The execution itself: By extension, it can refer specifically to the burning of a condemned person as part of this ceremony.

Usage Examples

• (The public burning of heretics was a frightening event meant to compel religious conformity.)
• (Scholars examine the official documents of these ceremonies to learn about the Inquisition's procedures.)

Advanced Usage

• "to hold an auto-da-fé": to conduct such a ceremony.

  • The Inquisition held an auto-da-fé in the town square. (The religious court performed the execution ritual in the public square.)

• "as an auto-da-fé": used metaphorically to describe a severe public condemnation or destruction.

  • The critic's review was an auto-da-fé of the author's reputation. (The criticism was a harsh, public destruction of the writer's standing.)

Variants and Related Words

• Auto-da-fé (n) — the standard spelling; plural .
• Act of faith (n) — a direct English translation of the Portuguese phrase.

Synonyms

• Execution: the carrying out of a death sentence.
• Burning: death by fire, especially as a punishment.
• Inquisition: the judicial institution that conducted autos-da-fé.

Related Idioms

• "a modern auto-da-fé": a figurative use meaning a public, destructive condemnation.
  • The scandal was a modern auto-da-fé, destroying the politician's career overnight. (The controversy was a public, devastating event that ended the person's professional life.)