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Interpellate

//ˌɪn.təɹˈpɛl.eɪt// verb

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To interrupt (someone) so as to inform or question (that person about something). obsolete
  2. 2
    question formally about policy or government business wordnet
  3. 3
    To address (a person) in a way that presupposes a particular identification of them; to give (a person) an identity (which may or may not be accurate).

    "[…] a Master of Ceremonies' words "Ladies and gentlemen" […] interpellates those being addressed as an audience, and one that is differentiated by gender."

  4. 4
    To question (someone) formally concerning official or governmental policy or business. transitive

    "After the gentleman and Senator [Mariano Jesús] Cuenco interpellated me, I knew already that my bill was hopeless. That is why I presented that bill on February 4th, but it slept the sleep of the just in the Committee on Education."

Etymology

First attested in 1599; borrowed from Latin interpellātus, perfect passive participle of interpellō, see -ate (verb-forming suffix). Cognate with French interpeller.

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