intervene
[ in-ter-veen ]
/ ˌɪn tərˈvin /
verb (used without object), in·ter·vened, in·ter·ven·ing.
to come between disputing people, groups, etc.; intercede; mediate.
to occur or be between two things.
to occur or happen between other events or periods: Nothing important intervened between the meetings.
(of things) to occur incidentally so as to modify or hinder: We enjoyed the picnic until a thunderstorm intervened.
to interfere with force or a threat of force: to intervene in the affairs of another country.
Law. to interpose and become a party to a suit pending between other parties.
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Nearby words
Origin of intervene
Related formsre·in·ter·vene, verb (used without object), re·in·ter·vened, re·in·ter·ven·ing.un·in·ter·ven·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for intervene
British Dictionary definitions for intervene
intervene
/ (ˌɪntəˈviːn) /
verb (intr)
(often foll by in) to take a decisive or intrusive role (in) in order to modify or determine events or their outcome
(foll by in or between) to come or be (among or between)
(of a period of time) to occur between events or points in time
(of an event) to disturb or hinder a course of action
economics to take action to affect the market forces of an economy, esp to maintain the stability of a currency
law to interpose and become a party to a legal action between others, esp in order to protect one's interests
Derived Formsintervener or intervenor, noun
Word Origin for intervene
C16: from Latin intervenīre to come between, from inter- + venīre to come
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 intervene
intervene
1580s, back-formation from intervention, or else from Latin intervenire "to come between, intervene, interrupt," from inter "between" (see inter-) + venire "to come" (see venue). Related: Intervened; intervening.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper