interfere
[in-ter-feer]
- to come into opposition, as one thing with another, especially with the effect of hampering action or procedure (often followed by with): Constant distractions interfere with work.
- to take part in the affairs of others; meddle (often followed by with or in): to interfere in another's life.
- (of things) to strike against each other, or one against another, so as to hamper or hinder action; come into physical collision.
- to interpose or intervene for a particular purpose.
- to strike one foot or leg against another in moving, as a horse.
- Sports.
- to obstruct the action of an opposing player in a way barred by the rules.
- Football.to run interference for a teammate carrying the ball.
- Physics. to cause interference.
- to clash; come in collision; be in opposition: The claims of two nations may interfere.
- Law. to claim earlier invention when several patent requests for the same invention are being filed.
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- interfere with, Chiefly British. to molest sexually.
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Origin of interfere
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
hinder, prevent, intrude, inhibit, impede, obstruct, hamper, suspend, thwart, interlope, tamper, make, jam, conflict, balk, handicap, interpose, inconvenience, stop, frustrateExamples from the Web for interfere
Contemporary Examples
However, it can interfere seriously with blood thinners and should never be taken with other antidepressant drugs.
Fish Oil, Turmeric, and Ginseng, Oh My! Are ‘Brain Foods’ B.S.?Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD
October 10, 2014
And go easy on fiber, which in large amounts can interfere with ovulation.
Last December, Khamenei said publicly he would not interfere in the negotiations and would leave the details to the diplomats.
Karzai did interfere with the negotiations at several points, in order to protect his own interests.
CIA Chief, White House Chief of Staff Long Argued the Taliban 5 Could Go FreeJosh Rogin, Eli Lake
June 7, 2014
In fact, Gallardón went out of his way to say that he did not think Partido Popular should interfere with gay marriage.
Historical Examples
No man ventured to interfere with this lawful exercise of his authority.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
"I shall not interfere with that arrangement," said the lawyer, misunderstanding his object.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
Even she always stopped soon, if she undertook to interfere with Malbone.
MalboneThomas Wentworth Higginson
We have never any wish to interfere in the political conditions of any other countries.
Henry moved forward to interfere once more, but this time he was not needed.
Way of the LawlessMax Brand
interfere
- (often foll by in) to interpose, esp meddlesomely or unwarrantedly; intervene
- (often foll by with) to come between or in opposition; hinder; obstruct
- (foll by with) euphemistic to assault sexually
- to strike one against the other, as a horse's legs
- physics to cause or produce interference
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Word Origin
C16: from Old French s'entreferir to collide, from entre- inter- + ferir to strike, from Latin ferīre
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for interfere
v.
mid-15c., "to strike against," from Middle French enterferer "to strike each other," from entre- "between" (see entre-) + ferir "to strike," from Latin ferire "to knock, strike," related to Latin forare "to bore, pierce" (see bore (v.), and cf. punch (v.), which has both the senses "to hit" and "to make a hole in"). Figurative sense of "to meddle with, oppose unrightfully" is from 1630s. Related: Interfered; interfering.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper