interpellation

American  

[in-ter-puh-ley-shuhn, in-tur-puh-] / ˌɪn tər pəˈleɪ ʃən, ɪnˌtɜr pə- /

noun

1. a procedure in some legislative bodies of asking a government official to explain an act or policy, sometimes leading, in parliamentary government, to a vote of confidence or a change of government.

2. Sociology. a system of maintaining power over a population by imposing beliefs, values, and norms on that population rather than using force.

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Etymology

Origin of interpellation

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin interpellātiōn-, stem of interpellātiō “interruption.” See interpellate, -ion

Example Sentences

A walkout of coal miners at Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, last month, was the subject of an interpellation in the House of Commons at Ottawa.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Government consented to listen to an interpellation on the sardine-packers' strike in Brittany, but the Right Opposition objected and showed their antipathy by banging their desk-lids and shouting.

From Time Magazine Archive

Had the old fox told his Deputies to vote for interpellation?

From Time Magazine Archive

By-and-by our talk was resumed in the same strain from which the curate’s interpellation had diverted it.

From She and I, Volume 1 by Hutcheson, John C. (John Conroy)

It is only where the parliamentary system prevails, as in France and Italy, that the device of interpellation can be made to assume much importance.

From The Governments of Europe by Ogg, Frederic Austin