Make Your Point > Archived Issues > INTERCEDE
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pronounce
INTERCEDE:
Say it "in tur SEED."
To hear it, click here.
connect this word to others:
As I've mentioned before, when you spot a word with "ced," "ceed," or "ces" in it, it's a good bet that it came from the Latin cedere, meaning "to go," "to go away," or "to yield."
That's true for our word intercede that we're checking out today, and for the words below. Could you recall them?
1. Something __cess__t is annoying because it never goes away.
2. Something un___cede____d is brand new: nothing like it has ever gone before it.
3. To c_d_ something is to let it go, to yield it: to let someone else have it, or let someone else control it.
(To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.)
definition:
"Intercede" has Latin roots that mean "to go between." We've used it in English since 1591.
If you intercede (or if you intercede in some situation, or intercede for someone), that means you get involved in some situation, usually by speaking up to help or defend someone.
grammatical bits:
Part of speech:
Verb, the intransitive kind: "He's not sure he should intercede;" "Thank you for interceding for me."
Other forms:
Interceded, interceding.
Someone who intercedes is an interceder--or, more formally, an intercessor.
If you need an especially formal noun for the act of interceding, call it an intercession.
how to use it:
"Intercede" is the common, formal word that helps you emphasize how someone is choosing to get involved, often speaking up or taking action to solve a problem, to set things right, or to defend or rescue someone.
Unlike the words "intrude" and "interfere," the word "intercede" often carries a positive tone. People who intrude or interfere are butting in; maybe they need to mind their own business. But people who intercede are taking a stand; maybe they're willing to risk their own safety, comfort, or reputation in order to improve someone else's situation.
Talk about a person (or group of people) who intercedes. You can intercede in a situation, intercede between two other people or groups, intercede for someone, or intercede on someone's behalf.
examples:
"Our group reached the clerks who examined each passport and suitcase carefully... the clerk saw that I was handing him an American passport. He held it, he looked at me and said something in Arabic. My friends around me began speaking rapid Arabic, gesturing and pointing, trying to intercede for me."
— Alex Haley, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, 1965
"The chief claimed to serve the people by interceding for them with the gods and reciting the ritual formulas required to obtain rain, good harvests, and success in fishing."
— Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, 1997
has this page helped you understand "intercede"?
study it:
Explain the meaning of "intercede" without saying "intervene" or "step in."
try it out:
When I hear the word "intercede," I think of Jean Valjean singing this in Les Miserables:
This woman leaves behind a suffering child.
There is none but me who can intercede.
In mercy's name, three days are all I need.
He's desperate to step in and save a newly orphaned child, even though she's not related to him, and even though they've never met. What a good man.
With Valjean in mind as an example, talk about another person, real or fictional, who intercedes. What situation does this person intercede in? Why? Is this intercession successful?
before you review, play:
Try to spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—first, let your working memory empty out.
Our game for August is "Heard it in Hamilton."
Check out a snippet of lyrics from Hamilton: An American Musical, and see if you can come up with the missing word. You can check your answer by scrolling all the way down.
Try this one today:
HAMILTON:
Why should a tiny island across the sea regulate the price of tea?
BURR:
Alexander, please!
HAMILTON:
Burr, I'd rather be divisive than indecisive, drop the _____.
Definition of the missing word: "tiny little details related to politeness or correct behavior."
Number of syllables: 3.
review this word:
A. STAYING BUSY.
B. STAYING OUT OF IT.
C. STAYING THE COURSE.
2.
Buzzfeed once published a quiz titled "_____," noting, "_____."
A. Who Should Be Your Patron Saint? .. Because someone's got to intercede on your behalf
B. We Know The Exact Day You'll Get Married Based On The Dream Life You Intercede .. [Insert wedding bells here]
C. Buy Some Holiday Pajamas And We'll Tell You Something That Will Intercede To You In 2019 .. 3-piece set includes: top, bottoms & red nose accessory
a final word:
I hope you're enjoying Make Your Point. It's made with love.
I'm Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words.
From my blog:
36 ways to study words.
Why we forget words, & how to remember them.
How to use sophisticated words without being awkward.
To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes.
As I've mentioned before, when you spot a word with "ced," "ceed," or "ces" in it, it's a good bet that it came from the Latin cedere, meaning "to go," "to go away," or "to yield."
"Intercede" has Latin roots that mean "to go between." We've used it in English since 1591.
Part of speech:
"Intercede" is the common, formal word that helps you emphasize how someone is choosing to get involved, often speaking up or taking action to solve a problem, to set things right, or to defend or rescue someone.
"Our group reached the clerks who examined each passport and suitcase carefully... the clerk saw that I was handing him an American passport. He held it, he looked at me and said something in Arabic. My friends around me began speaking rapid Arabic, gesturing and pointing, trying to intercede for me."
Explain the meaning of "intercede" without saying "intervene" or "step in."
When I hear the word "intercede," I think of Jean Valjean singing this in Les Miserables:
Try to spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—first, let your working memory empty out.
I hope you're enjoying Make Your Point. It's made with love.
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