Definition of interfere

The word "interfere" originated in the mid-17th century from the Latin word "interferre," which means "to bear in between" or "to carry between." The Latin word "inter" means "between," and "ferre" means "to bear" or "to carry." The original meaning of "interfere" in English was related to the notion of impeding or disrupting something. For example, in 1651, the phrase "interferes with the business of a parliament" appeared in a legal document, indicating an interference or disruption of the proceedings of a parliament. As the English language evolved, the meaning of "interfere" expanded to include more than just disruption of human affairs. Today, it is used to describe the phenomenon in which two or more waves, electromagnetic fields, or other physical entities interact or disturb each other, leading to a modification of the original waves or fields. In physics, for instance, the term "interference" describes the interaction of light, sound, or other waves when they overlap in space and time. In chemistry, it's used in the context of catalysis, where a chemical substance interferes with a chemical reaction, altering its rate, direction, or outcome. The versatility and relevance of the word "interfere" across various fields have secured its position as an essential term in science, engineering, and everyday speech.