Definition of: interfere

(in′tər·fir′) v.i. ·fered, ·fer·ing
1. To come into mutual conflict or opposition; clash.
2. To get in the way; be an obstacle or obstruction; intervene: The noise interferes with concentration.
3. To enter into or take part unasked in the concerns of others; meddle.
4. To strike one foot against the opposite foot or fetlock in walking or running: said of horses.
5. Physics To counteract one another, as waves of light, sound, or electricity.
6. In sports, to obstruct the actions of an opponent in an illegal manner.
7. In patent law, to claim priority for an invention: distinguished from infringe. See synonyms under INTERPOSE. [<OF (s')entreferir strike each other <L inter- between +ferire strike]
—in′ter·fer′er noun
—in′ter·fer′ing·ly adverb
PATTERNS OF LIGHT INTERFERENCE
A. Interference pattern of a uniaxial crystal. B. Interference patterns of a biaxial crystal when the axes of the polarizer and analyzer are at right angles to each other.