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interpose

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also: interposé

English

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WOTD – 2 June 2010

Etymology

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From Middle French interposer, influenced by poser (“to place, put”), from Latin interpōnō, from inter (“between”) + pōnō (“to place, put”).

Pronunciation

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Verb

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interpose (third-person singular simple present interposes, present participle interposing, simple past and past participle interposed)

  1. (transitive) To insert something (or oneself) between other things.
    to interpose a screen between the eye and the light
  2. (transitive) To interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment.
    • 1667, John Milton, “Book XII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC, 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.
    • 1846 October 1 – 1848 April 1, Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1848, →OCLC:
      “A beautiful country!”
      “I suppose it is. Everybody says so.”
      “Your cousin Feenix raves about it, Edith,” interposed her mother from her couch.
  3. (transitive) To offer (one's help or services).
  4. (intransitive) To be inserted between parts or things; to come between.
    • 1781 (date written), William Cowper, “Truth”, in Poems, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1782, →OCLC:
      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;
  5. (intransitive) To intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation.
    • 1749, Henry Fielding, chapter IX, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book V:
      The doctor now interposed, and prevented the effects of a wrath which was kindling between Jones and Thwackum […]
    • 1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter VIII, in Mansfield Park: […], volume II, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 170:
      "My daughters," replied Sir Thomas, gravely interposing, "have their pleasures at Brighton, and I hope are very happy; […] "
    • 1858, Margaret Oliphant Oliphant, Orphans: a chapter in a life, by the author of 'Margaret Maitland'‎[1], page 141:
      Matilda and Sophy were quite in a flutter of pleasure

Synonyms

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  • (To insert something (or oneself) between other things): insert
  • (To interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment): interrupt

Derived terms

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Translations

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The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked

Anagrams

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French

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Pronunciation

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Verb

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interpose

  1. inflection of interposer:
    1. first/third-person singular present indicative/subjunctive
    2. second-person singular imperative

Italian

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Verb

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interpose

  1. third-person singular past historic of interporre

Anagrams

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