interpellate

[ in-ter-pel-eyt, in-tur-puh-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·ter·pel·lat·ed, in·ter·pel·lat·ing.

1. to call formally upon (a minister or member of a government) to explain an act or policy, sometimes leading, in parliamentary government, to a vote of confidence or a change of government.
2. Sociology. to maintain power over a population by imposing beliefs, values, and norms on that population rather than using force.

interpellate

/ ɪnˈtɜːpɛˌleɪt /

verb

1. tr parliamentary procedure (in European legislatures) to question (a member of the government) on a point of government policy, often interrupting the business of the day

Derived Forms

• inˌterpelˈlation, noun
• inˈterpelˌlator, noun

Other Words From

• in·ter·pel·la·tor [in, -ter-p, uh, -ley-ter, in-, tur, -p, uh, -ley-], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of interpellate¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin interpellātus, past participle of interpellāre “to interrupt,” equivalent to inter- “between, among, together” + -pellā(re) “to speak” + -tus past participle suffix; inter-

Word History and Origins

Origin of interpellate¹

C16: from Latin interpellāre to disturb, from inter- + pellere to push

Example Sentences

He was accustomed now to so many stops, that he felt surprised when nobody rose to interpellate.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1885 several deputies, calling themselves Socialists, began to interpellate the ministry on the labor questions.

From Project Gutenberg

Leave to interpellate will certainly be asked for this afternoon.

From Project Gutenberg

I should thus have been enabled, for a few moments, to interpellate a god on things of the other world.

From Project Gutenberg