Dictionary

interpose en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio
• /ˌɪn.təˈpəʊz/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˌɪn.tɚˈpoʊz/ (General-American)

Etymology

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

Meanings

1. (transitive) To insert something (or oneself) between other things.
   • What watchful cares do interpose themselves Betwixt your eyes and night? 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]:
   • to interpose a screen between the eye and the light
   • 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. 1785, William Cowper, “Book I. The Sofa.”, in The Task, a Poem, […], London: […] J[oseph] Johnson; […], →OCLC, page 30:
2. (transitive) To interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment.
   • 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. 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:
   • “A beautiful country!” “I suppose it is. Everybody says so.” “Your cousin Feenix raves about it, Edith,” interposed her mother from her couch. 1846 October 1 – 1848 April 1, Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1848, →OCLC:
3. (transitive) To offer (one's help or services).
4. (intransitive) To be inserted between parts or things; to come between.
   • 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; 1781 (date written), William Cowper, “Truth”, in Poems, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1782, →OCLC:
5. (intransitive) To intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation.
   • The doctor now interposed, and prevented the effects of a wrath which was kindling between Jones and Thwackum […] 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:
   • Matilda and Sophy were quite in a flutter of pleasure 1858, Margaret Oliphant Oliphant, Orphans: a chapter in a life, by the author of 'Margaret Maitland', page 141:
   • "My daughters," replied Sir Thomas, gravely interposing, "have their pleasures at Brighton, and I hope are very happy; […]" 1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter VIII, in Mansfield Park: […], volume II, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 170:

Forms

Deriveds

interposal · interposable · uninterposed · interposure · uninterposing · interposingly

Synonyms

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

Translations (53)

hy ներդնել (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · nl tussenkomen (to interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment) · mi kōkuhu (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · ru прерыва́ть (to interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment) · ru вставля́ть (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · mi kuhi (to be inserted between parts or things) · fr semer la merde (to intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation) · fr couper (to interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment) · kmr xistin nav (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · fr se mêler à (to intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation) · fr se jeter dans la mêlée (to intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation) · pl wtrącać (to interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment) · pl być wstawionym (to be inserted between parts or things) · bg прекъсвам (to interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment) · lad enkashar (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · pt interpor (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · fr interrompre (to interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment) · sv inskjuta (to interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment) · es interponer (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · bg намесвам се (to intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation) · fi tulla väliin (to be inserted between parts or things) · fr s'interposer (to intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation) · pl przerwać (to intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation) · ru перебива́ть (to interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment) · nl tussenbeide komen (to intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation) · fi keskeyttää (to interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment) · ru помеща́ть (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · pl przerywać (to intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation) · fi keskeyttää (to intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation) · mi aruaru (to interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment) · es lanzarse a la pelea (to intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation) · el παρεμβαίνω (to interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment) · hy միջամտել (to intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation) · fr intercaler (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · pl wtrącić (to interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment) · hy մտցնել (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · es meterse en (to intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation) · bg вклинявам (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · kmr danîn nav (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · ru вклиниваться (to be inserted between parts or things) · el παρεμβάλλω (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · fr interposer (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · hy միջադրել (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · nl tussenzetten (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · es interponerse (to intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation) · bg вмъквам (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · fi laittaa väliin (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · pl wstawiać (to insert something (or oneself) between other things) · ru вме́шиваться (to interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment) · nl in de rede vallen (to interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment) · mi kohiko (to interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment) · fr casser le fil (to interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment) · pl wstawić (to insert something (or oneself) between other things)