interpose

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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

  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 95: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˌɪn.təˈpəʊz/
  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 95: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "GA" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˌɪn.tɚˈpoʊz/
  • Audio (AU):(file)
  • Rhymes: -əʊz
  • Hyphenation: in‧ter‧pose

Verb

interpose (third-person singular simple present interpos, present participle ing, 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
    • c. 1599, William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar[1], Act II, scene i,
      What watchful cares do interpose themselves
      Betwixt your eyes and night?
    • 1785, William Cowper, The Task[2], 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.
  2. (transitive) To interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment.
    • 1674, John Milton, Paradise Lost[3], 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.
  3. (transitive) To offer (one's help or services).
  4. (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;
  5. (intransitive) To intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation.

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

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

Anagrams

French

Pronunciation

Verb

interpose

  1. first-person singular present indicative of interposer
  2. third-person singular present indicative of interposer
  3. first-person singular present subjunctive of interposer
  4. third-person singular present subjunctive of interposer
  5. second-person singular imperative of interposer

Italian

Verb

interpose

  1. third-person singular past historic of interporre

Anagrams

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