intercedere

Intercedere is an Italian verb that means to go between two or more parties in order to mediate, advocate, or intervene on someone’s behalf. It comes from the Latin intercedere, meaning “to go between” or “to intervene.” In contemporary usage, it can indicate appealing to an authority or person in a higher position to obtain a favor or to influence a decision, or simply stepping in during a dispute to help resolve it.

The verb can be used transitively or intransitively, often with prepositions such as presso or a favore di. Common constructions include intercedere presso qualcuno (to intercede with someone), or intercedere a favore di qualcuno/una causa (to intercede on behalf of someone or a cause). Examples include: “Il rappresentante interceda presso l’amministrazione per una proroga” or “Intercedere a favore di una richiesta.” In everyday language, it is frequently used to describe advocacy or mediation by a person in a position to influence outcomes, such as un difensore che intercede per il proprio cliente.

In religious and theological contexts, intercedere widely designa l’atto di pregare o agire come intermediario con una divinità per gli altri. In questo senso si parla di intercessione, di intercessore e di intercessione divina. Related terms include mediare and intervenire, which emphasize different aspects of stepping in to resolve a situation.

Overall, intercedere connota un ruolo di mediazione o favore, sia laico sia religioso, tra parti diverse.