interdict
in-ter-DIKT
/ˌɪntərˈdɪkt/
To prohibit or forbid (something) officially; to intercept and prevent the movement of (prohibited goods).
Often used in a military or law enforcement context (intercepting drugs) or a religious context (excommunication).
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'interdicere', combining 'inter' (between) and 'dicere' (to say). It originally meant to 'speak between' two parties to settle a dispute by forbidding certain actions.
Word relationships
- prohibit: Prohibit is a general ban; interdict often involves the physical act of stopping something in transit.
- intercept: Intercept means to catch something; interdict means to catch it and stop it by authority.
- permit: Permit is to allow, while interdict is to forbid and stop.
- sanction: To sanction (in one sense) is to give official permission.
Commonly confused with
- interdictory: Interdict is the verb/noun; interdictory is the adjective describing the act of forbidding.
Word family
- interdiction (noun): The action of prohibiting or intercepting something.
Collocations
- interdict a shipment
- papal interdict
- interdict the flow
Example sentences
- "The Pope placed the kingdom under an interdict, forbidding all public worship." Historical context regarding the Catholic Church.
- "The coast guard was able to interdict the shipment of illegal goods before it reached the port." A report on border security.
Memory hook
To 'Interdict' is to 'Interrupt' and 'Dictate' (say) that it must stop. Speak between to stop.
When not to use
Too strong for a simple 'no'; it implies a formal or physical prevention.
Fun facts
- In military terms, 'interdiction' is a strategy to delay or destroy enemy supplies before they reach the front lines.
Related words
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