auto-da-fe
Au"to-da-fé", n.; pl. Autos-da-fé (. Etym: [Pg., act of the faith; auto act, fr. L. actus + da of the + fé faith, fr. L. fides.] 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.