interposition

[ in-ter-puh-zish-uhn ]

noun

1. the act or fact of interposing or the condition of being interposed.
2. something interposed.
3. the doctrine that an individual state of the U.S. may oppose any federal action it believes encroaches on its sovereignty.

Other Words From

• nonin·ter·po·sition noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of interposition¹

1375–1425; late Middle English interposicio ( u ) n < Latin interpositiōn- (stem of interpositiō ), equivalent to interposit ( us ) (past participle of interpōnere to place between) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

“Of course I know interposition is invalid,” he admitted.

From Salon

Such refusals could involve legal maneuvers like interposition, in which a community delays or constrains the enforcement of a law it opposes, or nullification, in which a community explicitly declares a law to be null and void within its borders.

From Salon

Mack told NPR in 2019 that sheriffs "have the responsibility to interpose – it's the 'doctrine of interposition' – whenever anybody is trying to diminish or violate the individual rights of our counties."

From Salon

Interposition, he has told attendees, is like playing defense in basketball.

From Salon

Legal scholars say the movement has no grounding in law, yet it is gaining steam: A study last year by scholars at Texas Christian University and Tulane University on behalf of The Marshall Project found that as many as 1 in 10 of America's 3,000-plus sheriffs believe they have the authority to stand between their constituents and higher government entities, a tactic they call "interposition."

From Salon

Related Words

• encroachment
• imposition
• incursion
• interference
• intervention
• invasion