interrogator
UK: ɪnˈtɛrəɡeɪtə | US: ɪnˈtɛrəɡeɪtər
n. a person who questions someone, especially formally or aggressively
n. (historical) an official tasked with extracting confessions or information
interrogator = inter<between> + rog<ask> + ator<agent suffix>
- inter (Latin origin): meaning "between" or "among."
- rog (from Latin rogare): meaning "to ask" or "to request."
- ator (Latin agent suffix): denotes a person who performs an action (e.g., "narrator," "elevator").
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin interrogare ("to question"), combining inter- (between) and rogare (to ask). Over time, interrogator evolved in English to specifically denote someone who systematically questions others, often with authority or intensity. The suffix -ator reinforces the role of the individual as an active agent in the questioning process.
The interrogator skillfully extracted the truth from the suspect.
During the trial, the defense lawyer challenged the methods of the police interrogator.
In medieval times, an interrogator might use harsh tactics to obtain confessions.
The AI system was programmed to function as a virtual interrogator for customer feedback.
The journalist acted as an interrogator, pressing the politician for clear answers.