interpolés

Interpolés is the plural form of the French adjective interpolé, meaning “interpolated.” In scientific and technical contexts, interpolés refers to quantities, values, or data points estimated by interpolation—that is, inferred for a position between known data points.

Interpolation is a method for constructing new data points within the range of a discrete set of known measurements. Interpolés can be produced by various techniques, including linear interpolation, polynomial interpolation, and spline interpolation. The choice of method depends on the desired balance between simplicity, smoothness, and the distribution of the known data. The reliability of interpolés rests on the assumption that the underlying phenomenon varies smoothly between the measured points.

Beyond numerical data, interpolés can also relate to the insertion of material into a text. In textual criticism, interpolations (interpolés) are passages added by copyists or editors, which may depart from the original wording or intent of a manuscript. Detecting such interpolés involves comparing manuscripts, consulting editions, and applying philological analysis to determine their provenance and impact on the text’s meaning.

Etymologically, interpolé derives from Latin interpolāre, meaning to insert between. In modern usage, the term functions as both an adjective and a noun in various disciplines, with context guiding whether it describes estimated values or inserted material.