Legal Definitions - interpellate

Definition: To interrupt a lawyer's argument with a question (if a judge), or to interrupt a legislature's calendar by questioning a ministerial policy (if a legislator).

Example 1: During the trial, the judge interpellated the defense attorney to clarify a point.

Example 2: The legislator interpellated the minister about the new policy, causing a delay in the legislative calendar.

Explanation: In both examples, someone interrupts another person's argument or schedule to ask a question or bring up a concern. This is what it means to interpellate. In the first example, the judge interrupts the lawyer's argument to ask a question. In the second example, the legislator interrupts the legislative calendar to question a ministerial policy.