interfere English · revision 15369

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1440}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌɪn.təˈfɪə(ɹ)/ ''(UK)''; /ˌɪn.tɚˈfɪɚ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|enterferen]], [[bor|frm|enterferir|t=to strike each other]] (Old French [[m|fro|s'entreferir]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998)^(Hoad 1986) altered under the influence of [[m|la|inter-]],^(MWU 2024) from [[m|fro|entre-|t=between]] and [[m|fro|ferir|t=to strike]], from [[la|feriō|t=to knock, strike]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) related to [[m|la|forō|t=to bore]] (see [[bore]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To intermingle or mix: 1440 (entyferyn), in the ''Promptorium Parvulorum'', in Barnhart, the mid-15th century in Etymonline;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) to meddle in others' affairs is in Barnhart from 1449.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of a horse, to strike the inside of the fetlock with the opposite hoof, is from 1530.^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986) Of things in general, to strike against each other, is from 1613,^(OED 1989) and to come into collision or opposition from 1662.^(OED 1989) The figurative sense, to meddle, is attested from the 1630s,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and to intervene from 1743.^(OED 1989) In physics it is used of waves combining, and interference is from the 18th century.^(Collins 2023)^(Hoad 1986) The sexual sense, ''interfere with'', is from 1948.^(OED 1989) Modern French [[m|fr|interférer]] is from English.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1440 – to intermingle.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1449 – to meddle.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1530 – of a horse's legs.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1632 – to meddle with.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1743 – to intervene.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To involve oneself in others' affairs without being asked; to [[meddle]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To get in the way of something; to [[hinder]] or [[obstruct]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(physics)'' Of waves, to combine and produce [[interference]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of a horse, to strike one hoof or leg against the other in moving.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(euphemistic)'' To assault sexually.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[interferer]]

+ * [[interferingly]]

+ * [[interference]]

+ * [[interferogram]]

+ * [[interferometer]]

+ * [[interferon]]

+ * [[noninterfering]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[interfering]]

+ * [[bore]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}