interpose

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

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌɪn.təˈpəʊz/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌɪn.tɚˈpoʊz/

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• Rhymes: -əʊz
• Hyphenation: in‧ter‧pose

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.

   to interpose a screen between the eye and the light

   • c. 1599, William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Act II, scene i,

     What watchful cares do interpose themselves

     Betwixt your eyes and night?

   • 1785, William Cowper, The Task, 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, 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.
   • 1749, Henry Fielding, chapter IX, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. In Six Volumes, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: Printed by A[ndrew] Millar, […], OCLC 928184292, book V:

     The doctor now interposed, and prevented the effects of a wrath which was kindling between Jones and Thwackum […]

   • 1814 July, [Jane Austen], chapter VIII, in Mansfield Park: A Novel. In Three Volumes, volume II, London: Printed for T[homas] Egerton, […], OCLC 39810224, page 170:

     "My daughters," replied Sir Thomas, gravely interposing, "have their pleasures at Brighton, and I hope are very happy; […] "

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

• entropies, isentrope, tropeines

• Homophones: interposent, interposes

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

interpose

1. third-person singular past historic of interporre

• inesperto
• peroniste
• riponeste