umpire
pronunciation
How to pronounce umpire in British English:
UK [ˈʌmpaɪə(r)]
How to pronounce umpire in American English:
US [ˈʌmpaɪər]
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- Noun:
- an official at a baseball game
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- Verb:
- be a referee or umpire in a sports competition
Word Origin
- umpire
- umpire: [15] An umpire is etymologically someone who is ‘not the equal’ of others, and is therefore neutral between them. The word’s ultimate source is Old French nomper, a compound noun formed from the prefix non- ‘not’ and per ‘equal’ (source of English peer). This was borrowed into English in the 14th century as noumpere, but soon misdivision of a noumpere as an oumpere led to umpire (the same process produced adder from an original nadder).=> peer
- umpire (n.)
- mid-14c., noumper, from Old French nonper "odd number, not even," in reference to a third person to arbitrate between two, from non "not" (see non-) + per "equal," from Latin par (see par). Initial -n- lost by mid-15c. due to faulty separation of a noumpere, heard as an oumpere. Originally legal, the gaming sense first recorded 1714 (in wrestling).
- umpire (v.)
- 1610s, from umpire (n.). Related: Umpired; umpiring.
Synonym
Example
- 1. No one likes the umpire , particularly when instant replay shows he 's blowing some important calls .
- 2. The games will no doubt continue-but at least they now have a determined umpire .
- 3. After formulating the traveling umpire problem , researchers developed solutions to get ump crews to every major league baseball game .
- 4. Sometimes when the ball is caught the umpire cannot be sure if the ball has touched the edge of the bat .
- 5. The american media then presents itself as an umpire between " the rival sides " , as if they both had evidence behind them .