tamper

UK /ˈtæm.pə(ɹ)/ US /ˈtæm.pə(ɹ)/
verb 5noun 3

Definitions

noun

1

A person or thing that tamps.

2

A person or thing that tamps.

3

A person or thing that tamps.

verb

1

To make unauthorized or improper alterations, sometimes causing deliberate damage; to meddle (with something).

tamper detection

The alarm had been tampered with and didn’t go off when it should have.

2

To try to influence someone, usually in an illegal or devious way; to try to deal (with someone).

Prosecutors argued that he would tamper with witnesses if bail was granted.

[…] no man knowes whether a Wife and a Mother, which had such a latitude of power over the Father and the Sonne, would not be tampering with a Prince (even in the point of Religion) of so tender years as rendred him fit for any impression, and to be indoctrinated with such principles as well concerning Religion, as others best suitable to her own designes.

3

To meddle (with something) in order to corrupt or pervert it.

[…] No Art used to inflame him, no Coquetry practised to tempt or intice him, and no Prudery or Affectation to tamper with his Passions; but, on the contrary, artless and unpractised in the Wiles of the World, all her Endeavours, and even all her Wishes, tended only to render herself as un-amiable as she could in his Eyes:

She therefore dissuaded Julia from attempting to tamper with the honesty of a servant who had the keys of the vaults […]

4

To involve oneself (in a plot, scheme, etc.).

1716, Joseph Addison, The Free-holder, No. 31, 6 April, 1716, London: D. Midwinter and J. Tonson, p. 180, […] he was beheaded upon the Defeat of the Conspiracy for having but thus far tampered in it.

5

To attempt to practise or administer something (especially medicine) without sufficient knowledge or qualifications.

Certainly it is a scurvy strong troublesom purge, therefore ill to be tamperd with by the unskilful […]

[…] Corners of Streets were plaster’d over with Doctors Bills, and Papers of ignorant Fellows; quacking and tampering in Physick, and inviting People to come to them for Remedies;

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