interlocutor

American  

[in-ter-lok-yuh-ter] / ˌɪn tərˈlɒk yə tər /

noun

1. a person who takes part in a conversation or dialogue.

2. the man in the middle of the line of performers in a minstrel troupe, who acts as the announcer and banters with the end men.

3. a person who questions; interrogator.

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interlocutor British  

/ ˌɪntəˈlɒkjʊtə /

noun

1. a person who takes part in a conversation

2. Also called: middleman.  the man in the centre of a troupe of minstrels who engages the others in talk or acts as announcer

3. Scots law a decree by a judge

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Other Word Forms

• interlocutress noun

Etymology

Origin of interlocutor

First recorded in 1505–15; from Latin interlocū-, variant stem of interloquī “to speak between” ( inter- inter- + loquī “to speak”) + -tor

Example Sentences

After stalling for weeks, the DEA arranged for the Colombian posing as an ELN interlocutor to meet Kassis in Kenya to inspect the weapons.

From The Wall Street Journal

They can also demand passwords from suspects’ interlocutors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite his bombastic rhetoric, Iran watchers said he has in the past demonstrated some pragmatism, which, combined with his regime bona fides, could position him as a viable interlocutor.

From The Wall Street Journal

After a report in Israeli media said he was the interlocutor of the US, he posted on X that "no negotiations have been held with the US" and denounced "fakenews".

From Barron's

But I could see his interlocutor was completely ignoring him as he'd thought of his own killer point and couldn't wait to slam-dunk it.

From BBC