intermeddle

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Anglo-Norman entremedler (= Old French entremesler), from inter- + medler.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˌɪntəˈmɛd(ə)l/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˌɪntɚˈmɛdəl/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -ɛdəl

Verb[edit]

intermeddle (third-person singular simple present intermeddles, present participle intermeddling, simple past and past participle intermeddled)

  1. (obsolete, transitive) To mix, mingle together. [14th–18th c.]
  2. (obsolete, reflexive) To get mixed up (with). [15th–17th c.]
  3. (intransitive) To butt in, to interfere in or with. [from 15th c.]
    • a. 1627 (date written), Francis [Bacon], “Considerations Touching a VVarre vvith Spaine. []”, in William Rawley, editor, Certaine Miscellany VVorks of the Right Honourable Francis Lo. Verulam, Viscount S. Alban. [], London: [] I. Hauiland for Humphrey Robinson, [], published 1629, →OCLC:
      The practice of Spain hath been, [] by war [] and [] by conditions of treaty, to intermeddle with foreign states.
    • 1749, Henry Fielding, chapter 2, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volumes (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, [], →OCLC, book Book I:
      I must desire all those critics to mind their own business, and not to intermeddle with affairs or works which no ways concern them; for till they produce the authority by which they are constituted judges, I shall not plead to their jurisdiction.

Synonyms[edit]