Tamper Definition

tămpər
tampered, tampering, tampers
verb
tampered, tampering, tampers
To contrive something secretly; plot; scheme.
Webster's New World
To interfere in a harmful or disruptive manner; meddle.
Was worried the editor would tamper with her text.
American Heritage
To make alterations or adjustments, especially secretly so as to subvert an intended purpose or function.
Tamper with a lock; discovered that the brakes had been tampered with.
American Heritage
To engage in improper or secret actions, as in an effort to influence an outcome.
Tamper with evidence; tamper with a jury.
American Heritage
To tinker rashly or foolishly.
American Heritage
Antonyms:
noun
tampers
A neutron reflector in an atomic bomb that also delays the expansion of the exploding material, making possible a longer-lasting, more energetic, and more efficient explosion.
American Heritage
A person or thing that tamps; specif., any of various instruments or tools for tamping.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
  • tamping bar
  • tamp
idiom
tamper with
  • to make secret, illegal arrangements with, as by bribing
  • to interfere with or meddle with, esp. so as to damage, corrupt, etc.
Webster's New World

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Tamper

  • tamper with

Origin of Tamper

  • From Middle French temprer (“to temper, mix, meddle")

    From Wiktionary

  • Probably alteration of temper

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • tamp +"Ž -er

    From Wiktionary

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tamper