interrogate
to question someone closely
Roots
- inter-: between or among
- rog / rogat: ask, request, propose, or put a question formally
Other words with the rog / rogat root
- abrogate: to abolish or repeal formally
- derogatory: showing a critical or belittling attitude
- prerogative: a special right or privilege
Inter means between or among; rog / rogat gives formal asking. To interrogate is to question someone closely.
The detective interrogated the witness for two hours.
Interrogate is the friendly doorway into rog / rogat because the asking is visible. Once you see rog as formal questioning, abrogate and derogatory feel less arbitrary.