intervene
/ˌɪntɚˈvin/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.65 in modern English
12
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
verb
To say (something) in the middle of a conversation or discussion between other people, or to respond to a situation involving other people.
verb
In a suit to which one has not been made a party, to put forward a defense of one's interest in the subject matter.
Example Sentences
- "The police had to be called to intervene in the fight."
- "Nature film-makers are discouraged from intervening in the events they are attempting to capture on film."
- "An instant intervened between the flash and the report."
- "[…] it is plain, that shaking off a Power, which Force, and not Right, hath set over any one, though it hath the Name of Rebellion; yet is no Offence before God, but that which he allows and countenances, though even Promises and Covenants, when obtain’d by force, have intervened."
- "Even sad vicissitude amus’d his soul; And if a sigh would sometimes intervene, And down his cheek a tear of pity roll, A sigh, a tear, so sweet, he wish’d not to controul."
- "She counted the days that must intervene before their invitation could be sent; hopeless of seeing him before."
Etymology
Word Breakdown
- Root: *gʷem-
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˌɪntɚˈvin/
- British English: /ˌɪntəˈviːn/