tamper
TAM-per
/ˈtæmpə(r)/
To interfere with something in an unauthorized, secret, or harmful way, especially to make alterations.
Tamper implies unauthorized, sneaky, and often malicious manipulation of physical hardware, wiring, or settings.
The story behind the word. The word 'tamper' is a historical alteration of the Middle English verb temperen, which meant 'to mix, work clay, or bring to a proper hardness.' Over time, the spelling shifted to 'tamper' and the meaning degraded from 'working with something to improve it' to 'meddling with something secretly to ruin or alter it.'
Word relationships
- interfere: A broader term for getting involved in others' affairs, while tamper specifically refers to physical or digital manipulation of objects or systems.
- meddle: To interfere in something without permission, usually in a social or personal context, whereas tamper is physical.
- preserve: To keep something safe from harm or alteration, whereas tamper is to alter it unauthorizedly.
- protect: To defend from interference, which is the opposite of tampering.
Commonly confused with
- modify: To tamper is to interfere with something secretly or maliciously, while modify is to make authorized changes.
Word family
- tampering (noun): The act of interfering with something without authority.
Collocations
- tamper with
- signs of tampering
- tamper-resistant
- tamper-evident
Example sentences
- "Do not tamper with the smoke detector or remove its batteries." Warning against unauthorized adjustments.
Memory hook
Think of 'tamper' as 'temper'—if you tamper with a security system, you will make the owner lose their temper. Tamper with the lock and make the owner lose their temper.
When not to use
Do not use 'tamper' when someone is making authorized repairs or open, permitted modifications to a system.
Fun facts
- Many modern security sensors have a 'tamper switch' that triggers an alarm immediately if someone tries to open the plastic casing of the device, even if the system is disarmed.
Explore more words
tamper-evident, sabotage, interfere, adulteration, falsification, unauthorized
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