From Latin 'inter-' + 'rogare' (to ask), from PIE *h3reg- (to direct) — asking as directing speech at someone.
To ask questions of someone closely, aggressively, or formally, especially by police or military personnel; to examine by questioning.
From Latin interrogare (to ask, to question), from inter- (between, among) + rogare (to ask, to put a motion). Latin rogare derives from PIE *h3reg- (to straighten, to direct, to put right) — asking was conceptualised as directing speech at someone. The prefix inter- adds a sense of exchange between two parties, distinguishing
In Roman law, 'rogāre' had a specific technical meaning: to propose a law to the people for their vote. A 'rogātiō' was a proposed bill. To 'interrogate' was literally to ask questions back and forth ('inter-') — the adversarial, back-and-forth character of the questioning is embedded in the prefix.
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