Interfered Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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interfered

[ˌɪn.təˈfɪrd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

past tense

Interfered is the past tense of the verb 'interfere,' which means to hinder or obstruct something from taking place. It can also refer to the act of involving oneself in a situation where one is not wanted or needed.

Synonyms

intervene, intrude, meddle, obstruct.

Examples of usage

  • She interfered in their argument.
  • He interfered with the project timeline.
  • The loud noise interfered with my concentration.
  • Don't interfere in her personal matters.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Interference in psychology refers to when memories disrupt one another, impacting our ability to recall information.
  • There are two types of interference: proactive, where old memories interfere with new ones, and retroactive, where new memories disrupt the recall of older ones.
  • Studies show that distractions, such as multitasking, can lead to cognitive interference, affecting problem-solving abilities.

Legal Aspects

  • In legal contexts, interference can refer to actions that unlawfully obstruct someone's rights, such as in property disputes.
  • Tortious interference involves intentionally damaging someone's contractual or business relationships through wrongful acts.
  • Interference can also play a critical role in personal injury cases, where someone's conduct obstructs another's safety or well-being.

Pop Culture

  • Movies often depict interference in relationships, where outside characters meddle in the lives of the protagonists, leading to conflict.
  • In many superhero stories, heroes must deal with interference from villains trying to thwart their plans.
  • Musicians sometimes refer to creative interference when someone alters their original vision, affecting the final output of a song or album.

Physics

  • In physics, interference describes the phenomenon where two waves meet, either amplifying or canceling each other out.
  • This property of waves is crucial in technologies such as radio transmission, where interference can improve signal clarity.
  • Interference patterns are vital in experiments like the double-slit, demonstrating the wave-particle duality of light.

Origin of 'interfered'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'interferre', which means 'to strike between'.
  • It evolved in Middle English from 'interferen', which meant to come between or hinder.
  • The prefix 'inter-' means 'between', indicating the action of getting in the middle of something.

The word 'interfere' originates from the Latin 'interferre', which means 'to interrupt, intervene'. This Latin term is composed of 'inter-' meaning 'between' and 'ferre' meaning 'to carry or bring'. The evolution of the word through Middle French in the 15th century maintained the core meaning of 'to hinder' or 'to come between'. In English, the verb gained traction in the late 14th century. Over time, 'interfere' has developed connotations of causing disruption or unwelcome intrusion, especially in social or organizational contexts. Its noun form, 'interference,' further solidified in usage, particularly in scientific, technical, and colloquial scenarios, indicating the hindrance of processes or actions.


Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,274 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.