interpolate
UK[ɪnˈtɜː.pə.leɪt]US[ɪnˈtɜːr.pə.leɪt]
v
to insert something between other things, especially words in a text.
v
to estimate a value between two known values in a mathematical sequence.
Morpheme Breakdown
inter
pol
ate
inter
between
pol
polish, smooth
ate
verb suffix
Etymology
the word 'interpolate' originates from the latin verb 'interpolare', meaning "to refurbish, to alter". this verb itself is a compound of the prefix 'inter-' ("between") and the root 'polire' ("to polish, to smooth"). the original latin sense was to polish something up, to alter or refurbish a text by inserting new material. this literal idea of smoothing or polishing by inserting something between existing elements evolved into the modern mathematical and general senses. the mathematical meaning, to estimate an intermediate value, directly reflects the "between" concept of the prefix 'inter-', while the textual meaning retains the notion of inserting new material into an existing sequence.
Analysis
Structure: inter (between) + pol (polish, smooth) + ate (verb suffix)
- inter: from latin 'inter', meaning "between, among". a prefix indicating location or relationship.
- pol: from latin 'polire', meaning "to polish, to smooth". a bound root.
- ate: from latin '-atus', a suffix forming verbs meaning "to act upon, to perform".
Examples
the editor chose to interpolate a clarifying paragraph into the manuscript.
to create a smoother curve, the software will interpolate additional data points.
scholars debate whether the passage was part of the original work or was interpolated by a later scribe.