interpellation

The act of interpellating (questioning); the period in which government officials are questioned about and explain an act, a policy or a point raised during a debate.

Noun

  1. The act of interpellating (questioning); the period in which government officials are questioned about and explain an act, a policy or a point raised during a debate.
    • While the petition was circulating, a Progressive deputy asked the Minister of the Interior what the Prussian government intended to do about it. The interpellation was intended to elicit a condemnation, but the...
  2. The act of interpellating: the act of identification.
  3. The act of interpelling: interruption.

Origin

From Middle French interpellation, from Latin interpellātiō; equivalent to interpellate + -ion or interpel + -ation.

Forms

interpellations