interpose
See also: interposé
English
WOTD – 2 June 2010
Etymology
From Middle French interposer, influenced by poser (“to place, put”), from Latin interpōnō, from inter (“between”) + pōnō (“to place, put”).
Pronunciation
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˌɪn.təˈpəʊz/
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˌɪn.tɚˈpoʊz/
Audio (AU) (file) - Rhymes: -əʊz
- Hyphenation: in‧ter‧pose
Verb
interpose (third-person singular simple present interposes, present participle interposing, simple past and past participle interposed)
- (transitive) To insert something (or oneself) between other things.
- to interpose a screen between the eye and the light
- c. 1599, William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Act II, scene i,
- What watchful cares do interpose themselves
- Betwixt your eyes and night?
- 1785, William Cowper, The Task, book II, Philadelphia, Pa.: Thomas Dobson, 1787, page 30:
- Lands intersected by a narrow frith
- Abhor each other. Mountains interposed
- Make enemies of nations who had else
- Like kindred drops been mingled into one.
- (transitive) To interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment.
- 1674, John Milton, Paradise Lost, book XII, lines 1-5:
- As one who in his journey bates at Noone,
- Though bent on speed, so her the Archangel paused
- Betwixt the world destroyed and world restored,
- If Adam aught perhaps might interpose;
- Then with transition sweet new Speech resumes.
- 1674, John Milton, Paradise Lost, book XII, lines 1-5:
- (transitive) To offer (one's help or services).
- (intransitive) To be inserted between parts or things; to come between.
- 1782, William Cowper, “Truth”, in Poems, London: J. Johnson:
- Suppose, unlook’d for in a scene so rude,
- Long hid by interposing hill or wood,
- Some mansion neat and elegantly dress’d,
- By some kind hospitable heart possess’d
- Offer him warmth, security and rest;
- 1782, William Cowper, “Truth”, in Poems, London: J. Johnson:
- (intransitive) To intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation.
- 1749, Henry Fielding, chapter IX, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. In Six Volumes, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: Printed by A[ndrew] Millar, […], OCLC 928184292, book V:
- The doctor now interposed, and prevented the effects of a wrath which was kindling between Jones and Thwackum […]
- 1814 July, [Jane Austen], chapter VIII, in Mansfield Park: A Novel. In Three Volumes, volume II, London: Printed for T[homas] Egerton, […], OCLC 39810224, page 170:
- "My daughters," replied Sir Thomas, gravely interposing, "have their pleasures at Brighton, and I hope are very happy; […] "
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Synonyms
- (To insert something (or oneself) between other things): insert
- (To interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment): interrupt
Translations
to insert something (or oneself) between other things
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to interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment
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to be inserted between parts or things
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to intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout#Translations.
Translations to be checked
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Anagrams
- entropies, isentrope, tropeines
French
Pronunciation
- Homophones: interposent, interposes
Verb
interpose
- first-person singular present indicative of interposer
- third-person singular present indicative of interposer
- first-person singular present subjunctive of interposer
- third-person singular present subjunctive of interposer
- second-person singular imperative of interposer
Italian
Verb
interpose
- third-person singular past historic of interporre
Anagrams
- inesperto
- peroniste
- riponeste