interpellate

verb in·ter·pel·late \ˌin-tər-ˈpe-ˌlāt, in-ˈtər-pə-ˌlāt\

in·ter·pel·lat·edin·ter·pel·lat·ing

Definition of INTERPELLATE

transitive verb

: to question (as a foreign minister) formally concerning an official action or policy or personal conduct

— in·ter·pel·la·tion \ˌin-tər-pə-ˈlā-shən\ noun

— in·ter·pel·la·tor \ˌin-tər-ˈpe-ˌlā-tər, in-ˈtər-pə-ˌlā-\ noun

Latin interpellatus, past participle of interpellare to interrupt, from inter- + -pellare (from pellere to drive) — more at felt

First Known Use: 1874

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