Definition of umpire

The word "umpire" first appeared in print in the mid-18th century, and its origins are somewhat unclear. Some suggest that it comes from the Old French words "omprievre" or "umpriere," meaning a "revenue collector" or "overseer," which later evolved into the Middle English "ympeyre," meaning an "umpteenth time" or "unlimited number" of times. However, others believe that the term "umpire" comes from the Old English "gemæhtige," meaning an "equal" or "suitable" authority figure appointed by both parties to resolve disputes fairly. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the earliest recorded use of the word in the context of sports is in connection with a dispute between two players over a ball in cricket, a game that was already well established in England by the mid-18th century. Regardless of its origins, "umpire" has come to refer to a neutral arbitrator or referee in various sports, particularly cricket, baseball, and hockey, appointed to enforce the rules and make decisions in contentious situations. In addition, the term is occasionally used more broadly to describe any impartial decision-maker in a wide range of other contexts, such as arbitral tribunals or game shows.