interpolate

[ in-tur-puh-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·ter·po·lat·ed, in·ter·po·lat·ing.

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, especially deceptively or without authorization.
4. to insert (new or spurious matter) in this manner.

verb (used without object)

, in·ter·po·lat·ed, in·ter·po·lat·ing.

1. to make an interpolation.

interpolate

/ ɪnˈtɜːpəˌleɪt /

verb

1. to insert or introduce (a comment, passage, etc) into (a conversation, text, etc)
2. to falsify or alter (a text, manuscript, etc) by the later addition of (material, esp spurious or valueless passages)
3. intr to make additions, interruptions, or insertions
4. maths to estimate (a value of a function) between the values already known or determined Compare extrapolate

Derived Forms

• inˈterpoˌlater, noun
• inˈterpolative, adjective

Other Words From

• in·ter·po·la·ble [in-, tur, -p, uh, -l, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• in·terpo·later in·terpo·lator noun
• in·ter·po·la·to·ry [in-, tur, -p, uh, -l, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], in·terpo·lative adjective
• in·terpo·lative·ly adverb
• nonin·terpo·lating adjective
• nonin·terpo·lative adjective
• unin·terpo·lated adjective
• unin·terpo·lative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of interpolate¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin interpolātus, past participle of interpolāre “to make new, refurbish, touch up,” equivalent to inter- “between, among, together” + -polā- verb stem (akin to polīre “to polish”) + -tus past participle suffix; inter-, polish

Word History and Origins

Origin of interpolate¹

C17: from Latin interpolāre to give a new appearance to, from inter- + polīre to polish

Example Sentences

To calculate wealth and income between survey years, we had to interpolate values.

From ProPublica

You have some points in time where you know exactly what age that is, but then in between you’re interpolating.

From Quanta Magazine

This Brother office scanner handles photos and documents with a resolution up to 1200 x 1200 interpolated and 600 x 600 optical.

From Popular-Science

Where there were brief gaps in the data early in the rollout, figures were interpolated based on a simple linear regression.

From Time

I love it when interpolated G-funk goes for higher stakes and realizes it fullest destiny as warrior music.

From Essence.com

At this point we should interpolate the reason why Hercules went against the Amazons.

From Project Gutenberg

I will interpolate here an account of a typical trial of a new boat, using an E boat of the early 1916 vintage as an illustration.

From Project Gutenberg

All members of the company had been warned that to interpolate lines or "business" meant a fine or worse.

From Project Gutenberg

He was also told to interpolate the series with a 'blank', that is, to think of nothing at all.

From Project Gutenberg

No matter how timid one may be, still it is necessary to interpolate.

From Project Gutenberg