interview

Etymology

From Old French entreveue (French entrevue), feminine singular past participle of entrevëoir, from entre- + vëoir (“to see”).

noun

1. (obsolete) An official face-to-face meeting of monarchs or other important figures.
2. Any face-to-face meeting, especially of an official or adversarial nature.
   (Aaron Burr narrating): It was at about this time that I learned exactly what it was that Hamilton had said of me, and knew that this world was far too narrow a place to contain the two of us. Hamilton's friend made one further attempt to get him off the hook but only further impaled the slanderer by remarking that should Colonel Burr wish to enquire of any other conversation of Hamilton concerning Burr, a prompt and frank avowal or denial would be given. This was too much. I told Van Ness to set a time and place for an interview [referring to a duel with pistols]. 1973, Gore Vidal, Burr, chapter 28
3. A conversation in person (or, by extension, over the telephone, Internet etc.) between a journalist and someone whose opinion or statements he or she wishes to record for publication, broadcast etc.
   The reporter gave the witness an interview.
4. A formal meeting, in person, for the assessment of a candidate or applicant.
   It was a dreadful interview; I have no hope of getting the job.
5. An audition.
6. A police interrogation of a suspect or party in an investigation.

verb

1. (transitive) To ask questions of (somebody); to have an interview.
   He interviewed the witness.
   The witness was interviewed.
   Professor Solanka paused and turned to face the lounging goddess of the threshold, who proceeded, unnervingly, to interview him. 2002 [2001], Salman Rushdie, Fury: A Novel, London: Vintage, page 4
2. (intransitive) To be interviewed; to attend an interview.
   When she interviewed with Microsoft in August, she overlooked a small cut in salary and asked about long-term career opportunities — and quality of life. 2000, U.S. News and World Report: Volume 129, Issues 18-25