Interpose
verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Definitions
- 1 To insert something (or oneself) between other things. transitive
"to interpose a screen between the eye and the light"
- 2 to insert between other elements wordnet
- 3 To interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment. transitive
"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."
- 4 to put forth by way of intervention wordnet
- 5 To offer (one's help or services). transitive
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 be or come between wordnet
- 7 To be inserted between parts or things; to come between. intransitive
"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;"
- 8 get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force wordnet
- 9 To intervene in a dispute, or in a conversation. intransitive
"The doctor now interposed, and prevented the effects of a wrath which was kindling between Jones and Thwackum […]"
Example
More examples"It was always the image of the Master of Ravenswood, with his native nobleness of countenance and form, that seemed to interpose betwixt her and assured death."
Etymology
From Middle French interposer, influenced by poser (“to place, put”), from Latin interpōnō, from inter (“between”) + pōnō (“to place, put”).
More for "interpose"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.