interpose
Language: English
Part of speech: verb
Pronunciation: ipa: /ˌɪn.təˈpəʊz/
ipa: /ˌɪn.tɚˈpoʊz/
rhymes: -əʊz
Forms: form: interposes
form: interposing
form: interposed
form: interposed
Etymology: From Middle French interposer, influenced by poser (“to place, put”), from Latin interpōnō, from inter (“between”) + pōnō (“to place, put”).
Senses: examples: text: to interpose a screen between the eye and the light
text: What watchful cares do interpose themselves
Betwixt your eyes and night?
ref: 1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:
text: 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.
ref: 1785, William Cowper, “Book I. The Sofa.”, in The Task, a Poem, […], London: […] J[oseph] Johnson; […], →OCLC, page 30:
glosses: To insert something (or oneself) between other things.
examples: text: 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.
ref: 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:
text: “A beautiful country!”
“I suppose it is. Everybody says so.”
“Your cousin Feenix raves about it, Edith,” interposed her mother from her couch.
ref: 1846 October 1 – 1848 April 1, Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1848, →OCLC:
glosses: To interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment.
glosses: To offer (one's help or services).
examples: text: 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;
ref: 1781 (date written), William Cowper, “Truth”, in Poems, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1782, →OCLC:
glosses: To be inserted between parts or things; to come between.
examples: text: The doctor now interposed, and prevented the effects of a wrath which was kindling between Jones and Thwackum […]
ref: 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:
text: "My daughters," replied Sir Thomas, gravely interposing, "have their pleasures at Brighton, and I hope are very happy; […]"
ref: 1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter VIII, in Mansfield Park: […], volume II, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 170:
glosses: To intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation.
Synonyms: sense: To insert something (or oneself) between other things
word: insert
sense: To interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment
word: interrupt
Derived terms: interposable
interposal
interposingly
interposure
uninterposed
uninterposing