In`ter*fere" (?), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Interfered (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Interfering.] [OF. entreferir to strike
each other; entre between (L. inter) + OF. ferir
to strike, F. férir, fr. L. ferire. See
Ferula.]
1. To come in collision; to be in opposition;
to clash; as, interfering claims, or commands.
2. To enter into, or take a part in, the
concerns of others; to intermeddle; to interpose.
To interfere with party disputes.
Swift.
There was no room for anyone to interfere with
his own opinions.
Bp. Warburton.
3. To strike one foot against the opposite
foot or ankle in using the legs; -- sometimes said of a human being,
but usually of a horse; as, the horse interferes.
4. (Physics) To act reciprocally, so
as to augment, diminish, or otherwise affect one another; -- said of
waves, rays of light, heat, etc. See Interference,
2.
5. (Patent Law) To cover the same
ground; to claim the same invention.
Syn. -- To interpose; intermeddle. See
Interpose.