Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense interposes, present participle interposing, past tense, past participle interposed
1. verb
If you interpose something between two people or things, you place it between them.
[formal]
Police had to interpose themselves between the two rival groups. [V pron-refl + between]
The work interposes a glass plate between two large circular mirrors. [V n + between]
Synonyms: intervene, step in, interfere, intermediate More Synonyms of interpose
2. verb
If you interpose, you interrupt with a comment or question.
[formal]
'He rang me just now,' she interposed. [VERB with quote]
Jacob was silent so long that Livvy interposed. [VERB]
[Also VERB noun]
Synonyms: interrupt, insert, interject, put in More Synonyms of interpose
interpose in British English
(ˌɪntəˈpəʊz)
verb
1.
to put or place between or among other things
2.
to introduce (comments, questions, etc) into a speech or conversation; interject
3.
to exert or use power, influence, or action in order to alter or intervene in (a situation)
Derived forms
interposable (ˌinterˈposable)
adjective
interposal (ˌinterˈposal)
noun
interposer (ˌinterˈposer)
noun
Word origin
C16: from Old French interposer, from Latin interpōnere, from inter- + pōnere to put
interpose in American English
(ˌɪntərˈpoʊz; ˈɪntərˌpoʊz)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˌinterˈposed or ˌinterˈposing
1.
to place or put between; insert
2.
to introduce by way of intervention; put forward as interference
3.
to introduce (a remark, opinion, etc.) into a conversation, debate, etc.; put in as an interruption
verb intransitive
4.
to be or come between
5.
to intervene or mediate
6.
to interrupt
Derived forms
interposal (ˌinterˈposal)
noun
interposer (ˌinterˈposer)
noun
Word origin
Fr interposer, altered (infl. by poser: see pose1) < L interpositus, pp. of interponere, to set between < inter-, between + ponere, to put, place: see position
Examples of 'interpose' in a sentence
interpose
Lainey leaned toward her husband, as if she wanted to interpose herself between them.
Miller, Sue FAMILY PICTURES (1990)
1 (verb)
Police had to interpose themselves between the rival groups.
Synonyms
intervene
The situation calmed down when police intervened.
step in
If no agreement was reached, the army would step in.
interfere
Stop interfering and leave me alone!
intermediate
mediate
UN officials mediated between the two sides.
intrude
intercede
She had occasionally tried to intercede for me.
come or place between
2 (verb)
Definition
to interrupt (with comments or questions)
`He rang me just now,' she interposed.
Synonyms
interrupt
insert
They inserted a clause calling for a popular vote on the issue.
interject
She listened thoughtfully, interjecting only the odd word.
put in
introduce
I wish to introduce a note of cool reason to the discussion.
put your oar in
Additional synonyms
in the sense of insert
Definition
to introduce (a clause or comment) into text or a speech
They inserted a clause calling for a popular vote on the issue.
Synonyms
enter,
include,
introduce,
interject,
interpose,
interpolate,
infix
in the sense of intercede
Definition
to act as a mediator in order to end a disagreement
She had occasionally tried to intercede for me.
Synonyms
mediate,
speak,
plead,
intervene,
arbitrate,
advocate,
interpose
in the sense of interfere
Definition
to try to influence other people's affairs where one is not involved or wanted