tor·que·ma·da \ˌtȯ(r)k(w)əˈmä]də, -mȧ], ]thə\noun (-s) Usage: usually capitalized Etymology: after Tomas de Torquemada died 1498, Spanish Dominican monk and first inquisitor general for all Spanish possessions : persecutor < the youthful and ubiquitous Torquemadas who serve as the subcommittee's chief counsel and chief consultant — R.H.Rovere >