interpolate

American  

[in-tur-puh-leyt] / ɪnˈtɜr pəˌleɪt /

verb (used with object)

interpolated, interpolating

1. to introduce (something additional or extraneous) between other things or parts; interject; interpose; intercalate.

2. Mathematics. to insert, estimate, or find an intermediate term in (a sequence).

3. to alter (a text) by the insertion of new matter, especially deceptively or without authorization.

4. to insert (new or spurious matter) in this manner.

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verb (used without object)

interpolated, interpolating

1. to make an interpolation.

interpolate British  

/ ɪnˈtɜːpəˌleɪt /

verb

1. to insert or introduce (a comment, passage, etc) into (a conversation, text, etc)

2. to falsify or alter (a text, manuscript, etc) by the later addition of (material, esp spurious or valueless passages)

3. (intr) to make additions, interruptions, or insertions

4. maths to estimate (a value of a function) between the values already known or determined Compare extrapolate

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Other Word Forms

• interpolable adjective
• interpolater noun
• interpolative adjective
• interpolatively adverb
• interpolator noun
• interpolatory adjective
• noninterpolating adjective
• noninterpolative adjective
• uninterpolated adjective
• uninterpolative adjective

Etymology

Origin of interpolate

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin interpolātus, past participle of interpolāre “to make new, refurbish, touch up,” equivalent to inter- “between, among, together” + -polā- verb stem (akin to polīre “to polish”) + -tus past participle suffix; inter-, polish

Example Sentences

He frequently interpolates lyrics from other rappers, quoting artists like J Hus and Skepta.

From BBC

To get around that issue, the BEA said that it will average September and November numbers to interpolate the October missing data.

From The Wall Street Journal

Additional Vivaldi arias and ensembles are deftly interpolated among the scrambled “Seasons” movements, their words a combination of Ms. Ruhl’s new English texts and the original Italian and Latin.

From The Wall Street Journal

A song which interpolates a George Michael song was welcomed by the singer's estate, who said they were "delighted" when Swift approached them about including it on Father Figure.

From BBC

She continues to settle scores on Father Figure - the scathing story of a backstabbing protégé, that interpolates the George Michael classic of the same name.

From BBC