auto-da-fé

noun

au·​to-da-fé ˌau̇-tō-də-ˈfā How to pronounce auto-da-fé (audio)
ˌȯ-tō-
plural autos-da-fé ˌau̇-tōz-də-ˈfā How to pronounce auto-da-fé (audio)
ˌȯ-tōz-
: the ceremony for pronouncing judgment by the Inquisition which was followed by the execution of sentence by secular authorities
broadly : the burning of a heretic

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese auto da fé, literally, act of the faith

First Known Use

1688, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of auto-da-fé was in 1688

Dictionary Entries Near auto-da-fé

Cite this Entry

“Auto-da-fé.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/auto-da-f%C3%A9. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

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