tamper
tamper Lexical Profile
tamper Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To interfere with something in an unauthorized, secret, or improper manner in order to alter, damage, or falsify it (usually followed by 'with').
"A broken security seal on the bottle indicated that someone might have tampered with the contents."
To exert secret, illegal, or corrupt influence upon a person, such as a witness, juror, or official, in order to alter their testimony or decision (usually followed by 'with').
"The defense attorney was investigated after allegations surfaced that an associate had tried to tamper with a key witness."
• noun
A tool or machine used for packing down or compacting a substance, such as soil, gravel, tobacco in a pipe, or finely ground coffee in an espresso machine.
"The barista used a heavy stainless-steel tamper to press the espresso grounds evenly into the portafilter."
Word Nuance & Usage
The verb 'tamper' is almost always followed by the preposition 'with' (e.g., 'tamper with evidence' or 'tamper with a witness') and implies unauthorized, improper, or harmful interference.
• Rhymes for tamper
Word Origin & Etymology
The verb 'tamper' (meaning to meddle or interfere) emerged in the 16th century as an alteration of 'temper', originally referring to working or mixing clay before shifting to mean meddling with something. The noun 'tamper' is an agent derivative of the verb 'tamp' (to pack down firmly).