intermeddle

English

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman entremedler (= Old French entremesler), from inter- + medler.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌɪntəˈmɛd(ə)l/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌɪntɚˈmɛdəl/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɛdəl

Verb

intermeddle (third-person singular simple present intermeddles, present participle intermeddling, simple past and past participle intermeddled)

1. (obsolete, transitive) To mix, mingle together. [14th–18th c.]
2. (obsolete, reflexive) To get mixed up (with). [15th–17th c.]
3. (intransitive) To butt in, to interfere in or with. [from 15th c.]
   • a. 1627 (date written), Francis [Bacon], “Considerations Touching a VVarre vvith Spaine. […]”, in William Rawley, editor, Certaine Miscellany VVorks of the Right Honourable Francis Lo. Verulam, Viscount S. Alban. […], London: […] I. Hauiland for Humphrey Robinson, […], published 1629, →OCLC:

     The practice of Spain hath been, […] by war […] and […] by conditions of treaty, to intermeddle with foreign states.

   • 1749, Henry Fielding, chapter 2, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book Book I:

     I must desire all those critics to mind their own business, and not to intermeddle with affairs or works which no ways concern them; for till they produce the authority by which they are constituted judges, I shall not plead to their jurisdiction.

Synonyms

• butt in, meddle