interposes

Interposes is the present tense form of the verb interpose, and it commonly refers to the act of placing something between two or more things, or to intervening in a situation. In broader use, interpose can mean to intervene for the sake of interruption, objection, or mediation, or to introduce a remark or obstacle between others. The noun form interposition is often used to denote the act or result of interposing.

Etymology and range of meanings. The word derives from the Latin interponere, meaning to put between. Across fields, interpose can describe physical insertion (placing a barrier or intermediary layer between objects), rhetorical insertion (a remark or counterpoint introduced during a discussion), or legal intervention (an objection or motion raised to halt or modify proceedings). The nuance in usage ranges from neutral placement to active interference.

Legal and governmental usage. In law, to interpose an objection or to interpose a motion means to intervene in a proceeding to affect its course. A party may interpose a demurrer, exception, or counterclaim, or file an interpleader action to resolve competing claims. In political history, interposition refers to the asserted right of a state or authority to intervene between federal actions and individuals, aiming to resist or modify external mandates.

Technology and other contexts. In engineering and electronics, an interposer is a substrate or intermediate layer placed between components to facilitate connections or testing. In everyday language, interpose often appears in phrases like “interpose a remark” or “interpose a barrier,” signaling an act of insertion, interruption, or mediation.

See also: interposition, interject, intervene.