Intercede, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Interceded; p. pr. & vb. n. Interceding.]
Etymology: [L. intercedere, intercessum; inter between + cedere to pass: cf. F. intercéder. See Cede.]
1. To pass between; to intervene. [Obs.] He supposed that a vast period interceded between that origination and the age wherein he lived. Sir M. Hale.
2. To act between parties with a view to reconcile differences; to make intercession; to beg or plead in behalf of another; to mediate; -- usually followed by with and for; as, I will intercede with him for you. I to the lords will intercede, not doubting Their favorable ear. Milton.
Syn. -- To mediate; arbitrate. See Interpose.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Intercede, v. t.
To be, to come, or to pass, between; to separate. [Obs.] Sir I. Newton.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for intercede; he lists it under interpose.
Where he writes about it:
Intercede and interpose are used in a good sense; intermeddle always in a bad sense, and interfere frequently so. — from interpose
To intercede is to come between persons who are at variance, and plead with the stronger in behalf of the weaker. — from interpose