interfere 
Interfere (in-ter-fer'), r. t. ; prot. and pp. in- 
terfered, ppr. inti'rfrrig. [Formerly also m- 
terfcre; < ME. enterferen. < OF. entreferir, ex- 
change blows, F. btterferer. interfere, < ML. 
'interferire, strike between, < L. inter, between, 
+ ferire, strike.] 1. To take a part in the af- 
fairs of others ; especially, to intermeddle ; act 
in such a way as to check or hamper the action 
of other persons or things. 
So cautious were our ancestors In conversation, as never 
to interfere with party disputes lit the state. Sie\ft. 
Our war no interfering kings demands, 
Nor shall be trusted to Barbarian hands. 
Rowe, tr. of Lucan's Pharsalia, viii. 
A Sheik Arab, who lives here [SuezL has really all the 
power, whenever he pleases to interfere. 
J'oeoclce, Description of the East, I. 133. 
2. To clash ; come in collision ; be in opposi- 
tion: as, the claims of two nations may inter- 
fere; the two things interfere with each other. 
Nature is ever interfering with Art. Emerson, Art. 
3. In farriery, to strike one hoof or the shoe 
of one hoof against the fetlock of the opposite 
leg (of the same pair): said of a horse. 4. In 
pXyeict, to act reciprocally upon one another 
so as to modify the effect of each, by augment- 
ing, diminishing, or nullifying it: said of waves 
of light, heat, sound, water, etc. See interfer- 
ence, 5. 
When two similar and equal series of waves arrive at a 
common point, they interfere, as it is called, with one 
another, so that the actual disturbance of the medium at 
any instant is the resultant of the disturbances which it 
would have suffered at that instant from the two series 
separately. P. 0. Tail, Enoyc. Brit., XIV. 606. 
=8yn. 1. Intermeddle, Intervene, etc. See interpose. 
interference (iu-ter-fer'ens), . [= F. inter- 
ference = Pg. interferenifia = It. interferenza ; 
as interfere + -ence.] 1. The act of interfer- 
ing; interposition; especially, intermeddling. 
This circumstance, which is urged against the bill, be- 
comes an additional motive for our interference. 
Burke, On fox's East India Bill. 
A part of the European powers have attempted to es- 
tablish a right of interference to put down revolutionary 
principles in that continent. 
Wooltey, Introd. to Inter. Law, 8 4a. 
2. A clashing or collision ; the act of coming 
into violent contact. 3. In farriery, a strik- 
ing of one foot against the one next to it, as 
one hind foot against the other. 4. In Amer. 
patent law, the conflict between two patents or 
applications for patent which claim in whole 
or in part the same invention. Hence, to go into 
interference (of an application for a patent) is to be reserved 
for the purpose of litigating the question In the patent of- 
fice before the application shall be granted. 
5. In physics, the mutual action of waves of any 
kind (whether those in water, or sound-, heat-, 
or light-waves) upon one another, by which, un- 
der certain conditions, the vibrations and their 
effects are increased, diminished, or neutral- 
ized. The term was first employed by Dr. Young to ex- 
press certain phenomena which result from the mutual 
action of the rays of light on one another. In general, if 
two systems of waves come together, they interfere that 
is. they unite to reinforce or destroy one another, the actual 
disturbance of the medium at any Instant being the re- 
sultant of the two disturbances considered separately. 
For example, if the two systems are of equal intensity and 
in the same phase, the result will be a doubled disturb- 
ance ; if, however, they are half a wave-length apart, the 
result will be rest. Thus, two sounds of the same pitch and 
intensity produce a note of double the intensity when they 
meet in the same phase, the point of condensation of one 
corresponding to that of the other ; when, on the other 
hand, the point of maximum condensation of the first cor- 
responds to that of rarefaction of the other, they destroy 
eacn other. Again, if two notes differing but slightly in 
pitch (say one vibration per second) are sounded together, 
there will be one instant in each second when the two 
wave-systems will nearly coincide in phase, and one when 
they will be half a wave-length apart ; the result is that 
they alternately strengthen and weaken each other at 
these moments, and the ear perceives the pulsations in the 
noto called beats (see Aeotl, 7). The same principles hold 
true in the case of light, as was first shown by Young. The 
interference of light-waves is illustrated by the phenom- 
ena of diffraction (see diffraction) : thus, a diffraction grat- 
ing gives with monochromatic light a series of light and 
dark bands (interference fringes), corresponding respec- 
tively to the points of maximum and minimum motion re- 
sulting from the mutual action of the two wave-systems ; 
for the former they are in the same phase, for the latter 
they differ in phase liy half a wave-length. If white light 
is employed, a series of spectra 
(interference spectra) of different 
orders is obtained. Newton's 
rings, obtained, for example, when 
ordinary light is reflected from a 
convex lens of long focus pressed 
upon a plate of glass, arc circular 
interference spectra. The colors 
of thin films, as of oil on water or 
of a soap-bubble, are due to inter- 
ference, as is also the iridescence 
of some antique glass or of mother- 
lnterf<-rence Figure of ., of -peart. Still again, the beailti- 
Uniaxial Crystal. fill figures produced when a sec- 
198 
3143 
(ion of a nnlaxial crystal cut normal to the axis, or of a bi- 
axial crystal cut normal to the bisectrix, is viewed i >n 
verging I 
hence cal 
ystalcut normal to the bisectrix, is viewed In con- 
; polarized liuht are similar phenomena, and are 
allc-,1 interference figure*. Recently (1888-0) Hertz 
Interference Figures of a Biaxial Crystal : (I) when the axial plane 
(passing through the two ovals) is Inclined 45 to the vibration-planes 
of the polarizer and analyzer, and (a) when It is respectively parallel 
and perpendicular to them. 
has shown that electric waves, produced, for example, by 
Induction discharges between two metal surfaces ana prop- 
agated through space, also exhibit under proper conditions 
interference phenomena. These waves may have a length 
of several feet. See wave. =8yn. 1. Mediation, Interven- 
tion, etc. See interposition. 
interferer (in-ter-fer'er), n. One who 01- that 
which interferes. 
interferingly (in-ter-fer'ing-li), adv. In an 
interfering manner; by interference; by in- 
termeddling. 
interfibrillar (in'ter-fi-brirar), o. [= F. - 
terfibrillaire ; as inter- + fibrilla + -ar 3 .] Sit- 
uated between fibrils. 
Tumours In which we have ... a swollen and semi- 
liquid condition of the interfibrillar substance. 
Ziegler, Pathol. Anat. (trans.), i. i 143. 
interfibrillary (in-ter-fi'bri-la-ri), a. Same as 
interfibrillar. 
interfibrous (in-ter-fi'brus), a. [< inter- + 
fiber 1 + -oim."] Situated between fibers. 
Pressing the combined lime and interfibrous matter out 
of the tissue. Encyc. Brit., XIV. 384. 
interfilamentar (in-ter-fil-a-men'tSr), a. [< in- 
ter- + filament + -ar 3 .] Situated Setween fila- 
ments. E. B. Lankester, Encyc. Brit., XVI. 689. 
interflllet (in-ter-fil'et), v. t. [< inter- + fillet.] 
To bind in and over ; weave. [Bare.] 
There Is an actual predominance of the practical or 
ethical aim, not only as the immediate motive and ulti- 
mate goal of his endeavor, but constantly interfilleted and 
Interwoven with the theoretical tissue. 
Harper's Mag., LXXVin. 887. 
interflow (in-ter-flo'), v. i. [< inter- + floici.] 
To flow between. 
What way the current cold 
Of Northern Ocean with strong tides doth interflow and 
swell. Holland, tr. of Camden, p. 12. 
interfluent (m-ter'flij-eut). a. [< L. interflu- 
en(t-)s, ppr. of interfluere, flow between,< inter, 
between, + fluere, flow: see fluent.'] 1. Flow- 
ing between ; flowing back and forth. 
The agitation of some interfluent subtile matter. 
Boyle, Works, II. 603. 
2. Flowing together; harmoniously blending: 
of sounds, forms, etc. 
As written by Chaucer, it was picturesque, full of music 
and color the interfluent, luxurious pentameter couplet, 
revived by Hunt and Keats. 
SUdman, The Century, XXIX. 608. 
interfluous (in-ter'flij-us), a. [< L. interfluns, 
flowing between, < interfluere, flow between : 
see interfluent.'] Same as ntterfluent. 
Hated to hear, under the stars or moon, 
One nightingale in an interfluous wood 
Satiate the hungry dark with melody. 
Shelley, The Woodman and the Nightingale. 
interfold (in-ter-fold' ), v. t. [< inter- + fold*.] 
To fold one into the other; fold together. 
Life's most beautiful Fortune 
Kneels before the Eternal's throne ; and, with hands t'n- 
terfolded, 
Praises thankful and moved the only Oiver of blessings. 
Longfellow, tr. of TegneYs Children of the Lord's Supper. 
interfoliaceous (in-ter-fo-li-a'shius), a. [< L. 
inter, between, + folium, leaf: see foliaceous.] 
In bot., situated between opposite leaves: as, 
interfoliaceous stipules in the Bubiaeece. 
interfoliate (in-ter-fo'li-at), v. t.; pret. and 
pp. interfoliated, ppr. interfoliating. [< L. in- 
ter, between, + folium, leaf: see foliate.'] To 
interleave. 
So much [Improvement of a book] as I conceive is neces- 
sary, I will take care to send yon with your interfoliated 
copy. Evelyn, To Mr. Place, Aug. 17, 1696. 
Almost Immediately upon receiving Information that a 
new work is to be produced, he [the stage-manager] inter, 
foliates the piano score with blank leaves, upon which he 
notes what is to occur simultaneously with the playing of 
certain bars of music on the page opposite. 
Scribner's Mag., IV. 443. 
interfretted (iu-ter-fret'ed), a. [< inter- + 
fret 2 + -erf 2 .] In her., same as interlaced, but 
applied especially to objects which are closed 
intergrade 
no that the interlacing cannot be separated: 
as, two keys interfretted by their bows, 
interfriction (in-ti'-r-frik'shon), . [< inter- + 
frirtion.] A rubbing together; mutual fric- 
tion. [Bare.] 
Kindling a fire by interfriction of dry sticks. 
De Quincey, Spanish Nun, | IB. 
interfrontal (in-ter-fron'tal), a. [= F. inter- 
froutal; as inter- + frontal.] Situated between 
the right and left frontal bones, or the right and 
left halves of the frontal bone : aa, an interfron- 
tal suture. 
interfulgentt (in-ter-ful'jent), a. [< L. inter- 
fnli/en(t-)s, ppr. of interfulgere, shine between, 
< inter, between, +fulgere, shine: see fulgent.] 
Shining between. Bailey. 
interfuse (iu-ter-fuz'), v. t.; pret. and pp. in- 
terfused, ppr. interfusing. [< L. interfusus, pp. 
of (LL.) interfundere, pour between, < inter, be- 
tween, + fitndere, pour: see found 3 , fuse 1 .] 1. 
To pour or spread between or among ; diffuse 
throughout ; permeate or cause to permeate. 
The kingdom of China Is In all parts thereof interfused 
with commodious riuers. HaMuyt's Voyage*, II. 11. 89. 
The ambient air, wide interfused, 
Embracing round this florid earth. 
Milton, P. L., vii. 88. 
Ice upon ice, the well-adjusted parts 
Were soon conjoin'd, nor other cement ask'd 
Than water interfus'd to make them one. 
Cowper, Task, v. 148. 
And through chaos, doubt, and strife, 
Interfuse Thy calm of life 
Whittier, Andrew Rykman's Prayer. 
2. To fuse together or interblend ; associate ; 
make interdependent. 
A people amongst whom religion and law were almost 
Identical, and in whose character both were so thoroughly 
interfused. Hawthorne, scarlet Letter, II. 
interfusion (in-ter-fu'zhon), . [< LL. interfu- 
sio(n-), < interfundere, pp. iiiterfumis, pour be- 
tween: see interfuse.] The act of pouring or 
spreading between ; an intimate intermingling. 
I foresaw that I should find him a true American, full 
of that perplexing interfusion of refinement and crudity 
which marks the American mind. 
//. James, Jr., Pass. Pilgrim, p. 24. 
interganglionic (in-ter-gang-gli-on'ik), a. [< 
inter- + ganglion + -ic.] Situated between 
ganglia; connecting ganglia: specifically ap- 
plied to the commissures or connecting nervous 
cords of ganglia, especially of the sympathetic 
system. 
intergatoryt (in-ter'ga-to-ri), . A contraction 
of interrogatory. 
Let us go In ; 
And charge us there upon inter'gatories, 
And we will answer all things faithfully. 
Shale., M. of V., v. 1, 99. 
I have an entrapping question or two more 
To put unto them, a cross intergaiory. 
B. Jonson, Staple of News, v. 2. 
intergenital (in-ter-jen'i-tal), a. [< inter- + 
genital.] Situated between the genitals: ap- 
plied to the calcareous plates of echinoderms 
which are attached to and come more or less 
between those which bear the orifices of the 
genital organs. 
intergernt (in-ter-gern'), v. i. [< inter- + gcrn.] 
To exchange grins or snarls. Davies. 
The angry beast [a badger] to bis best chamber flies, 
And (angled there) sits grimly inter-gerning. 
Sylvester, tr. of Du Bartas's Weeks, ti., The Decay. 
interglacial (in-ter-gla'shial), a. [< inter- + 
glacial. ] In geol. , formed or occurring between 
two periods of glacial action : as, interglacial 
beds ; an interglacial period. 
interglandular (in-ter-glan'du-l&r), a. [< in- 
fer- + glandular.] Situated between glands. 
interglobttlar (in-ter-glob'u-lftr), a. [< inter- 
+ globular.] Situated between globules. 
Interylobular spaces are represented as black marks. 
Micros. Science, XXIX. I. 16. 
intergradation (in'ter-gra-da'shon), n. [< in- 
tergrade + -ation.] Intermediate gradation. 
intergrade (in-ter-grad'), r. '. ; pret. and pp. 
intergraded, ppr. iutergrading. [< inter- + 
grade 1 , v.] To become alike gradually, or ap- 
proach in character by degrees, as one animal 
or plant compared with another; be graduat- 
ed with diminishing degrees of difference, or 
graded into one another, as two or more spe- 
cies. See the extract. 
I compromised the matter by reducing to the rank of 
varieties the nominal species that were known or believed 
to intergrade. . . . We treat as "specific" any form, how- 
ever little different from the next, that we do not know or 
believe to intergrade. Cmtes, Key to X. A. Birds, p. 79. 
