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interpolate

 - 3 dictionary results

in⋅ter⋅po⋅late

  [in-tur-puh-leyt] verb, -lat⋅ed, -lat⋅ing.
Use interpolate in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to introduce (something additional or extraneous) between other things or parts; interject; interpose; intercalate.
2. Mathematics. to insert, estimate, or find an intermediate term in (a sequence).
3. to alter (a text) by the insertion of new matter, esp. deceptively or without authorization.
4. to insert (new or spurious matter) in this manner.
–verb (used without object)
5. to make an interpolation.
Origin:
1605–15; < L interpolātus ptp. of interpolāre to make new, refurbish, touch up, equiv. to inter- inter- + -polā- v. s. (akin to polīre to polish ) + -tus ptp. suffix

Related forms:
in⋅ter⋅po⋅la⋅ble  [in-tur-puh-luh-buhl] , adjective
in⋅ter⋅po⋅lat⋅er, in⋅ter⋅po⋅la⋅tor, noun
in⋅ter⋅po⋅la⋅to⋅ry  [in-tur-puh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] , in⋅ter⋅po⋅la⋅tive, adjective
in⋅ter⋅po⋅la⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To interpolate
in·ter·po·late   (ĭn-tûr'pə-lāt')   
v.   in·ter·po·lat·ed, in·ter·po·lat·ing, in·ter·po·lates

v.   tr.

  1. To insert or introduce between other elements or parts.

    1. To insert (material) into a text.

    2. To insert into a conversation. See Synonyms at introduce.

  3. To change or falsify (a text) by introducing new or incorrect material.

  4. Mathematics To estimate a value of (a function or series) between two known values.

v.   intr.
To make insertions or additions.

[Latin interpolāre, interpolāt-, to touch up, refurbish, from interpolis, refurbished; see pel-5 in Indo-European roots.]
in·ter'po·la'tion n., in·ter'po·la'tive adj., in·ter'po·la'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

interpolate 
1612 (implied in interpolation) "to alter or enlarge (a writing) by inserting new material," from L. interpolatus, pp. of interpolare "alter, freshen up, falsify," from inter- "up" + polare, related to polire "to smoothe, polish." Sense evolved in L. from "refurbish," to "alter appearance of," to "falsify (especially by adding new material)."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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