meddler
English edit
Etymology edit
From Middle English medlere, medelere, equivalent to meddle + -er.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
meddler (plural meddlers)
- One who meddles or interferes in something not of their concern.
- 1790, Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments; […] In Two Volumes, 6th edition, volume II, London: […] A[ndrew] Strahan; and T[homas] Cadell […]; Edinburgh: W[illiam] Creech, and J. Bell & Co., →OCLC, part VI, section I (Of the Character of the Individual, so far as It Affects His Own Happiness; or of Prudence), page 59:
- The prudent man is not willing to ſubject himſelf to any responſibility which his duty does not impoſe upon him. He is not a buſtler in buſineſs where he has no concern; is not a meddler in other people’s affairs; is not a profeſſed counſellor or adviſer, who obtrudes his advice where nobody is aſking it.
- 1868, Horatio Alger, Struggling Upward[1]:
- “Yes, Mr. Coleman, I have,” answered Luke steadily. “I thought it my duty to inform this man of your character. I have advised him to put his money into a savings-bank.”
“Curse you for an impertinent meddler!” said Coleman wrathfully. “I’ll get even with you for this!”
“You can do as you please,” said Luke calmly.
- 1934, H. P. Lovecraft, Through the Gates of the Silver Key, chapter 8:
- “Stop!” The hoarse, oddly alien voice of the Swami held a tone beyond all mere earthly fright “I told you there was another form of proof which I could give if necessary, and I warned you not to provoke me to it. This red-faced old meddler is right; I’m not really an East Indian. This face is a mask, and what it covers is not human.”
Synonyms edit
Translations edit
one who meddles or interferes
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