different between intermeddle vs interpose

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /??nt??m?d(?)l/
• (US) IPA^(key): /??nt??m?d?l/
• Rhymes: -?d?l

Verb

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

1. (obsolete, transitive) To mix, mingle together. [14^th-18^thc.]
2. (obsolete, reflexive) To get mixed up (with). [15^th-17^thc.]
3. (intransitive) To butt in, to interfere in or with. [from 15^thc.]
   • 1623, Francis Bacon, A Discourse of a War with Spain

     The practice of Spain hath been, […] by war{{..}} and […] by conditions of treaty, to intermeddle with foreign states.

   • 1749, Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, Book I, Ch.2:

     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

• butt in, meddle

English

Etymology

From Middle French interposer, influenced by poser (“to place, put”), from Latin interp?n?, from inter (“between”) + p?n? (“to place, put”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /??n.t??p??z/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /??n.t??po?z/
• Rhymes: -??z
• Hyphenation: in?ter?pose

Verb

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.
   • 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

Anagrams

• entropies, isentrope, tropeines

French

Pronunciation

• Homophones: interposent, interposes

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

• inesperto
• peroniste
• riponeste