intervene

Where does the word "intervene" come from? It comes from Latin intervenire, and was adopted directly into English (1580s).

Intervene’s story begins in Latin: intervenire meant “to come between.” To come between, from inter- (between) and venire (to come). It reached English by 1580s as intervene. Settled as the English word for becoming involved in a situation to change its outcome. Today, intervene means to become involved in a situation, especially to prevent or alter its outcome.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient intervenire "to come between", to come between, from inter- (between) and venire (to come).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1580s intervene "to become involved in a situation to change its outcome", settled as the English word for becoming involved in a situation to change its outcome.