non-intervenev.
/ˌnɒnɪntəˈviːn/, U.S. /ˈˌnɑnˌɪn(t)ərˈvin/ intransitive. To refrain from intervening. Usually ironically: to intervene.Chiefly used with reference to military intervention, esp. before or during the Second World War (1939–45).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)] > refrain from interfering
to leave the field open1668
to let (or leave) well alone1722
to get out of a person's face1931
non-intervene1937
1937 A. P. Herbert in Punch 8 Sept. 275/2 So let every soldier go non-intervening—Oh, fly with me Southward and non-intervene!
1969 Guardian 29 Aug. 8/4 Mr Chamberlain..threatened to..‘non-intervene’ on Hitler's side against Czechoslovakia, as they were doing in favour of General Franco in Spain.
1986 H. Seton-Watson Eastern Europe between Wars (ed. 3) 385 The existence of the aggressive German Dictatorship, ready to ‘non-intervene’ whenever necessary to strike down the Red Monster, was a source of comfort to all the little Dictatorships.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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