interference English · revision 10612

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1783|origins=en interfere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˌɪn.təˈfɪə.rəns/, US /ˌɪn.t̬ɚˈfɪr.əns/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[interfere]] on the model of words such as [[difference]].^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Interfering or meddling: 1783.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In physics, the mutual action of two waves reinforcing or cancelling each other is from 1802, a sense given by the English scientist Thomas Young.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Disturbance of telephone, later radio and television, signals is from 1887.^(Etymonline) In American football, blocking a tackler is from 1894,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and in chess, blocking the line of a piece from 1913.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A horse striking one leg with another is from 1888.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1783 – meddling.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1802 – wave interference.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1887 – telephone interference.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1894 – in American football.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1913 – in chess.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act of [[interfere|alt=interfering]] or meddling.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(physics)'' The combining of two or more waves so that they strengthen or cancel each other.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Disturbance of [[radio]] or television signals.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(sport)'' Illegal obstruction of a player, or (American football) blocking for the ball carrier.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[interferential]]

+ * [[constructive interference]]

+ * [[destructive interference]]

+ * [[interference drag]]

+ * [[interference microscope]]

+ * [[interference pattern]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[interfere]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}