interrogate

The definition of interrogate is to formally ask inquisitive questions, especially for the purposes of trying to find out something the other person doesn't want you to know.

(verb)

When police question a suspected murderer for hours to try to get him to confess, this is an example of a time when the police interrogate the possible murderer.

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See interrogate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb interrogated, interrogating

to ask questions of formally in examining: to interrogate a witness

Origin: < L interrogatus, pp. of interrogare, to ask < inter-, between + rogare, to ask: see rogation

intransitive verb

to ask questions

See interrogate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb in·ter·ro·gat·ed, in·ter·ro·gat·ing, in·ter·ro·gates
  1. To examine by questioning formally or officially. See Synonyms at ask.
  2. Computer Science To transmit a signal for setting off an appropriate response.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English enterrogate

Origin: , from Latin interrogāre, interrogāt-

Origin: : inter-, in the presence of; see inter-

Origin: + rogāre, to ask; see reg- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • in·terˌro·gaˈtion noun
  • in·terˌro·gaˈtion·al adjective
  • in·terˈro·gaˌtor noun

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