interpolation

[ in-tur-puh-ley-shuh n ]

/ ɪnˌtɜr pəˈleɪ ʃən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR interpolation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act or process of interpolating or the state of being interpolated.

something interpolated, as a passage introduced into a text.

Mathematics.

the process of determining the value of a function between two points at which it has prescribed values.
a similar process using more than two points at which the function has prescribed values.
the process of approximating a given function by using its values at a discrete set of points.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of interpolation

First recorded in 1605–15, interpolation is from the Latin word interpolātiōn- (stem of interpolātiō). See interpolate, -ion

Related formsnon·in·ter·po·la·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for interpolation

Nevertheless, that is what happens, and it is impossible to tell where the authentic text ends and the interpolation begins.
Musical Memories|Camille Saint-Sans
Hence by interpolation the exact balance is found to correspond to 18·177 strokes per minute.
Life Movements in Plants, Volume II, 1919|Sir Jagadis Chunder Bose
The original text has here this interpolation, 'who was the presbyter nanda at that time,' of course bracketed by the editor.
The Gtakaml|rya Sra
When men interpolate, it is because they believe their interpolation seriously needed.
The Writings of Thomas Paine, Volume IV.|Thomas Paine

It does not follow that these differences should be used for interpolation.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 6|Various

British Dictionary definitions for interpolation

interpolation

/ (ɪnˌtɜːpəˈleɪʃən) /

noun

the act of interpolating or the state of being interpolated

something interpolated

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for interpolation

interpolation

1610s, from French interpolation (early 17c.), or directly from Latin interpolationem (nominative interpolatio), noun of action from past participle stem of interpolare (see interpolate).