auto-da-fé

noun

au·to-da-fé ˌau̇-tō-də-ˈfā

ˌȯ-tō-

plural autos-da-fé ˌau̇-tōz-də-ˈfā

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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“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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