Interpone

Interpone is an English verb meaning to place between or to interpose, especially to present something as an objection, remark, or consideration in a dispute or discussion. In modern usage, the form is archaic or literary, and its sense is typically expressed today with interpose, interject, or interpose an objection rather than with interpone itself.

Etymology and forms: interpone derives from Latin interponere, from inter- “between” and ponere “to place.” It reached English through historical channels such as Old French, and appears in older dictionaries and texts. Because it is largely supplanted by related forms, you will encounter it mainly in historical, philosophical, or legal writings rather than in contemporary prose. Related forms include interposed (past participle) and interposing (present participle), while the standard modern verbs are interpose and interject.

Usage and connotations: today interpone is regarded as obsolete or formal. When encountered, it usually signals an older or stylistically elevated register. In current English, to place a remark or objection between parties is more commonly described with interpose or interject, whereas to place something between physical objects is often described with interpose or interpose between.

Related terms and distinctions: interpose emphasizes intervening or interrupting in a sequence or proceedings; interject emphasizes inserting a remark or comment into a discourse; interpolate emphasizes inserting something within a text or data set, often without altering the surrounding structure. Interpone should not be confused with interpolate, though both involve insertion, the former in a physical or argumentative sense, the latter in textual or numerical contexts.

See also: interpose, interject, interpolate, intercalate, interponere.