interloper
English edit
Etymology edit
1590s, from inter- + loper (“runner, rover”), as in landloper (“vagrant”) (from lope (“to leap, to jump”) (originally dialectal)). Originally spelt enterloper and used in specific sense “unauthorized trader trespassing on privileges of chartered companies”, later general sense of “self-interested intruder” from 1630s.[1]
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
interloper (plural interlopers)
- One who interferes, intrudes or gets involved where not welcome, particularly a self-interested intruder.
- They disliked the interloper, and forced him to leave.
- 2023 November 13, Rosalind Jana, “Saltburn and the bizarre life of Britain's stately homes”, in BBC[1]:
- In a button-up plaid shirt with an unwieldly suitcase, he is an interloper from another world – one whose first social faux pas is to make his way slowly through the various gates and arrive at the imposing front door on foot, rather than wait to be picked up from the train station by a servant.
- (obsolete) An unlicensed or illegitimate trader.
Related terms edit
Translations edit
one who interferes
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See also edit
References edit
- ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “interloper”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
