interpellate

C2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˌɪntɚˈpɛleɪt/ UK /ˌɪntəˈpɛleɪt/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

verb
formal: to interrupt or address someone with a question or challenge

She waited for a pause before she chose to interpellate the lecturer.
2

verb
politics: to question a minister or official formally about government policy or conduct

Opposition members moved to interpellate the minister about the missing funds.
3

verb
social theory: to address or position a person as a particular kind of subject

The slogan attempts to interpellate each listener as a loyal citizen.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · formal: to interrupt or... question interrupt challenge

2 verb · politics: to question a... question formallycall to account

3 verb · social theory: to address... hailconstitute as a subject

Word family

Derived forms interpellationinterpellator

Related forms interpelappeal

Etymology

From Latin interpellare, 'to interrupt, disturb, or address,' combining inter-, 'between,' with pellere, 'to drive or strike.' Parliamentary use developed for formally questioning an official; twentieth-century theory extended the word to the social act of hailing someone into an identity.

Topics

Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives Register & Style

External links

# interpellate

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ˌɪntɚˈpɛleɪt/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌɪntəˈpɛleɪt/

## Meanings
1. formal: to interrupt or address someone with a question or challenge
2. politics: to question a minister or official formally about government policy or conduct
3. social theory: to address or position a person as a particular kind of subject

## Examples
- She waited for a pause before she chose to interpellate the lecturer.
- Opposition members moved to interpellate the minister about the missing funds.
- The slogan attempts to interpellate each listener as a loyal citizen.

## Synonyms
- question
- challenge
- interrupt
- hail

## Derived Forms
- interpellation
- interpellator

## Related Forms
- interpel
- appeal

## Etymology
From Latin interpellare, 'to interrupt, disturb, or address,' combining inter-, 'between,' with pellere, 'to drive or strike.' Parliamentary use developed for formally questioning an official; twentieth-century theory extended the word to the social act of hailing someone into an identity.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes
- Word Formation & Derivatives
- Register & Style

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