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interfere

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
in·ter·fere  (ntr-fîr)
intr.v. in·ter·fered, in·ter·fer·ing, in·ter·feres
1. To be or create a hindrance or obstacle: loud talking that interfered with the other patrons' conversations; assistance that only interfered.
2. Sports To perform an act of interference.
3. To intervene or intrude in the affairs of others; meddle.
4. To strike one hoof against the opposite hoof or leg while moving. Used of a horse.
5. Physics & Electronics To cause interference.

[Middle English enterferen, from Old French s'entreferer, to strike one another : entre-, between (from Latin inter-; see inter-) + ferir, to strike (from Latin ferre).]

inter·ferer n.
inter·fering·ly adv.
Synonyms: interfere, meddle, tamper1
These verbs mean to intervene unasked in the affairs of others and often in an impudent or indiscreet manner. Interfere implies action that seriously hampers, hinders, or frustrates: "Romantics of all ages can recall occasions when lust interfered with reason" Christine Gorman.
Meddle stresses unwanted, unwarranted, or unnecessary intrusion: "wholly unacquainted with the world in which they are so fond of meddling" Edmund Burke.
To tamper is to interfere by making unsought, unwelcome, often destructive changes or by trying to influence another in an improper way: "a large number of persons accused of . . . tampering with ballot boxes" James Bryce.

interfere
Verb
[-fering, -fered]
1. to try to influence other people's affairs where one is not involved or wanted
2. interfere with
a. to clash with or hinder: child-bearing may interfere with your career
b. Brit, Austral & NZ euphemistic to abuse sexually
3. Physics to produce or cause to produce interference [Old French s'entreferir to collide]
interfering adj
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Verb1.interfere - come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle; "Your talking interferes with my work!"
hinder, impede - be a hindrance or obstacle to; "She is impeding the progress of our project"
2.interfere - get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force; "Why did the U.S. not intervene earlier in WW II?"
interact - act together or towards others or with others; "He should interact more with his colleagues"
meddle, tamper - intrude in other people's affairs or business; interfere unwantedly; "Don't meddle in my affairs!"
interlope - encroach on the rights of others, as in trading without a proper license

interfere
verb meddle, intervene, intrude, butt in, get involved, tamper, pry, encroach, intercede, stick your nose in (informal) stick your oar in (informal) poke your nose in (informal) intermeddle, put your two cents in U.S. (slang)
interfere with something or someone conflict with, affect, get in the way of, check, block, clash, frustrate, handicap, hamper, disrupt, cramp, inhibit, thwart, hinder, obstruct, impede, baulk, trammel, be a drag upon (informal)
Translations
Spanish interfere [ɪntəˈfɪəʳ] vi to interfere in [+ quarrel, other people's business] → entrometerse en;
to interfere with (= hinder) → estorbar (= damage); estropear;
(RADIO) → interferir con

French interfere [ɪntəˈfɪəʳ] vi to interfere in [+ quarrel] → s'immiscer dans [+ other people's business]; se mêler de;
to interfere with [+ object] → tripoter, toucher à [+ plans]; contrecarrer [+ duty]; être en conflit avec;
don't interfere → mêlez-vous de vos affaires

German interfere [ɪntəˈfɪəʳ] vi to interfere in → sich einmischen in +acc;
to interfere with (object) → sich zu schaffen machen an +dat;
(plans) → durchkreuzen;
(career, duty, decision) → beeinträchtigen;
don't interfere → misch dich nicht ein

Italian interfere [ɪntəˈfɪəʳ] vi to interfere (in) [+ quarrel, other people's business] → immischiarsi (in);
to interfere with [+ object] → toccare [+ plans]; ostacolare [+ duty]; interferire con

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Now I say that with cruelty and oppression it is everybody's business to interfere when they see it; you did right, my boy.
"Then I decline to interfere," said the Governor, with asperity; "a man who abuses his office by making it serve a private end and purvey a personal advantage is unfit to be free.
I can't help believing it's going to happen in Anne's case, if Providence doesn't interfere, that's what.
 
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