interpellate

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

/ ˌɪn tərˈpɛl eɪt, ɪnˈtɜr pəˌleɪt /

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verb (used with object), in·ter·pel·lat·ed, in·ter·pel·lat·ing.

to call formally upon (a minister or member of a government) in interpellation.

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Origin of interpellate

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; see inter-

OTHER WORDS FROM interpellate

in·ter·pel·la·tor

[in-ter-puh-ley-ter, in-tur-puh-ley-], /ˈɪn tər pəˌleɪ tər, ɪnˈtɜr pəˌleɪ-/, noun

Words nearby interpellate

interoperable, interosculate, interpage, interparoxysmal, interpellant, interpellate, interpellation, interpenetrate, interpersonal, interpersonal theory, interpersonal therapy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use interpellate in a sentence

He was accustomed now to so many stops, that he felt surprised when nobody rose to interpellate.
Cradock Nowell, Vol. 1 (of 3)|Richard Doddridge Blackmore
In 1885 several deputies, calling themselves Socialists, began to interpellate the ministry on the labor questions.
Socialism and Democracy in Europe|Samuel P. Orth
Leave to interpellate will certainly be asked for this afternoon.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete|Emile Zola
I should thus have been enabled, for a few moments, to interpellate a god on things of the other world.
From Paris to Pekin over Siberian Snows|Victor Meignan

British Dictionary definitions for interpellate

interpellate

/ (ɪnˈtɜːpɛˌleɪt) /

verb

(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 of interpellate

interpellation, nouninterpellator, noun

Word Origin for interpellate

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012