intervene

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   occur between other event or between certain points of time

   The war intervened between the birth of their two children.

2. 2
   verb

   get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force

   Why did the U.S. not intervene earlier in WW II?

3. 3
   verb

   be placed or located between other things or extend between spaces and events

   This interludes intervenes between the two movements

4. 4
   verb

   To become involved in a situation, so as to alter or prevent an action.

   The police had to be called to intervene in the fight.

5. 5
   verb

   To occur, fall, or come between, points of time, or events.

   An instant intervened between the flash and the report.

6. 6
   verb

   To occur or act as an obstacle or delay.

   Nothing intervened to prevent the undertaking.

7. 7
   verb

   To say (something) in the middle of a conversation or discussion between other people, or to respond to a situation involving other people.

   Young Scarfe stared, astounded. “You haven’t met before,” Mrs. Gould intervened. “Mr. Decoud—Mr. Scarfe.”

8. 8
   verb

   To come between, or to be between, persons or things.

   The Mediterranean intervenes between Europe and Africa.

Etymology

Back-formation from intervention, and/or from Latin interveniō (“come between”, verb).