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Where does the word "interfere" come from? It comes from Latin ferire, passing through Old French before entering English (1520s).
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Where does the word "interfere" come from? It comes from Latin ferire, passing through Old French before entering English (1520s).
Interfere’s story begins in Latin: ferire meant “to strike.” 'inter', between, plus 'ferire', to strike. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as s'entreferir. Used of horses knocking their legs together. It reached English by 1520s as interfere. Radio 'interference' dates from the 1900s. Today, interfere means to get involved without being asked.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient ferire "to strike", 'inter', between, plus 'ferire', to strike.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval s'entreferir "to strike each other", used of horses knocking their legs together.
- Stage 3 · English · 1520s interfere "to strike against", radio 'interference' dates from the 1900s.