interpellation

plural interpellations

1. countableuncountablegovernmentThe 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.

   1 more example

   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 minister’s pro forma reply that the government did not intend to abrogate Jewish rights was seen by the petitioners as an encouraging sign.

   1975, Lucy S. Dawidowicz, The War Against the Jews 1933-1945

2. countableuncountablehuman sciencesThe act of interpellating: the act of identification.
3. countableuncountableThe act of interpelling: interruption.