interpolation — English Dictionary

Noun

1. An abrupt change in elements, with continuation of the first idea.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

2. The process of estimating the value of a function at a point from its values at nearby points.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

3. The process of interpolating: including and processing externally-fetched data in a document or program.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   In Perl, variable interpolation happens in double-quoted strings and patterns, and list interpolation occurs when constructing the list of values to pass to a list operator or other such construct that takes a LIST.

4. That which is introduced or inserted; in contexts of content analysis of centuries-old texts, especially something foreign or spurious.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Today a widely established convention encloses all editorial interpolations in square brackets [like so] for clarity.

   Bentley wrote a letter […] upon the scriptural glosses in our present copies of Hesychius, which he considered interpolations from a later hand.

   More examples (1)

   We, who are born into the world's artificial system, can never adequately know how little in our present state and circumstances is natural, and how much is merely the interpolation of the perverted mind and heart of man.

5. The use of a melody from a previously recorded song, but recreated rather than sampled from that recording.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • euphemistic
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The melody itself is an interpolation of "The Streets of Cairo," an Orientalist Tin Pan Alley song originally published in 1895.

Noun

1. a message (spoken or written) that is introduced or inserted

   Synonyms

   insertion

   Broader terms

   messagecontentsubject mattersubstance

   Examples

   with the help of his friend's interpolations his story was eventually told

   with many insertions in the margins

2. (mathematics) calculation of the value of a function between the values already known

   Broader terms

   calculationcomputationfiguringreckoning

3. the action of interjecting or interposing an action or remark that interrupts

   Synonyms

   interjectioninterpositioninterpellation

   Broader terms

   breakinterruptiondisruptiongap