interpellation
(ˌɪntəpɛˈleɪʃən)
[ad. L. interpellātiōn-em, n. of action from interpellāre: see interpel. The English uses became obsolete before 1700; it has been re-introduced from Fr. in sense 5 in the 19th c.]
The action of interpellating or of interrupting by question or appeal.
† 1. The action of appealing to or entreating; pleading, intercession. Obs.
| 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 243 Makyng..interpellacyon & pletynge for vs before y⊇ father of heuen. 1542 Becon Pathw. Prayer in Early Wks. (Parker Soc.) 169 By the importunity of her interpellation and hearty request. 1612 Ainsworth Annot. Ps. iv. 2 Appeale, interpellation or intercession. 1650 Jer. Taylor Holy Living & Dying ii. ii. §4 (1870) 348 For whose interest the Spirit makes interpellations with groans and sighs unutterable. a 1670 Hacket Cent. Serm. (1675) 1012 The personal complaint of the Souls under the Altar, and not the interpellation of their injuries. |
† 2. A summons, citation. Obs.
| 1599 Fenton Guicciard. iii. 140 To put the Duke of Myllan in contumacie, it were necessarie to haue interpellation. 1726 Ayliffe Parergon 180 In all Extra-judicial Acts, one Citation, Monition, or Extra-judicial Interpellation is sufficient. |
† 3. The action of breaking in upon with speech or otherwise; interruption. Obs.
| 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. vi. §23. 490 The Archbishop had enjoyed the same for a long time, without interpellation or disturbance. 1640 Bp. Hall Episc. Ep. Ded. 5, I had need to crave pardon of your Majestie for the boldnesse of this interpellation. 1647 H. More Song of Soul i. ii. xliv, Good Sir, I crave pardon If so I chance to break that golden twist You spin, by rude interpellation. 1668 ― Div. Dial. ii. x. (1713) 119 So frequent and palpable Interpellations in humane affairs would take away the Usefulness of both. 1829 Landor Wks. (1846) II. 23/2 Such writers have confined their view..to..sophistic reasonings, and sarcastic interpellations. 1834 [see interlocation 1]. |
4. Sc. Law. Prevention, hindrance. Cf. interpel 3.
| 1814 Act. 54 Geo. III, c. 137 §3 margin, Arrestments at Market Cross, &c. no sufficient interpellation. |
5. The action of interrupting the order of the day (in the French or other foreign legislative Chamber) by asking from a Minister an explanation of some matter belonging to his department.
It may lead to a debate and division, and thus answers both to ‘asking a question’ in the British House of Commons, and to a ‘motion for the adjournment of the House’ in order to call attention to a matter of urgency.
| 1837 Carlyle Fr. Rev. I. iii. iii, He is standing at bay: alone; exposed to an incessant fire of questions, interpellations, objurgations. 1861 Sat. Rev. 22 June, The last invention in this way is the word ‘interpellation’. When an Opposition member of a foreign Parliament asks a question of a Minister, he is said to ‘put an interpellation’. 1867 Morn. Star 28 Jan., If you put a question in the House of Commons you cannot have a debate. But an ‘interpellation’ is really equivalent to our ‘motion’. It always opens with a long speech, and usually leads to a long debate. 1893 Nation (N.Y.) 9 Feb. 99/3 The interpellations already announced are numerous. |