Etymologically
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interpono

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 16:02. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ɪn.tɛrˈpoː.noː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [in.terˈpɔː.no][1]

Forms

interpōnō (present infinitive interpōnere, perfect active interposuī or interposīvī, supine interpositum or interpostum); third conjugation[1]

Etymology

It is from inter- “between” and pōnō “to put”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Cato, of placing between.[2] Köbler dates Cato 234–149 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant to place between, insert, as in Cato, and in Seneca to put among.[2] In Cicero it meant to insert in a speech or book, to interpose a delay, a hindrance or a pretext, to bring someone in as a party or witness, and reflexively to intervene, interfere.[2] In Livy it meant to insert in a series, and the Rhetorica ad Herennium uses it of bringing into play, as auctōritātem interpōnere “to exert one's influence”.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to interpose, insert, put between.[5] It survives in Italian interporre, French interposer and Spanish interponer, and through French it gave English interpose in the 1590s.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of placing between.[2][4]
  • 86/82 BC – The Rhetorica ad Herennium uses auctōritātem interpōnere.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of interfering.[2][4]
  • 1590s – English interpose is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To place between, insert.[2]
  2. To include (in a speech).[2]
  3. To interpose (a delay, a hindrance).[2]
  4. To bring into play, auctōritātem interpōnere, to exert one's influence.[2]
  5. To bring in as a party or witness.[2]
  6. Reflexively, to intervene.[2]

Word family

  • interpositiō
  • interpositus

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson