Intermeddle, v. i.
Etymology: [OE. entremedlen, entermellen, to mix together, OF. entremedler, entremeller, entremesler, F. entremêler. See Inter-, and Meddle.]
To meddle with the affairs of others; to meddle officiously; to interpose or interfere improperly; to mix or meddle with. The practice of Spain hath been, by war and by conditions of treaty, to intermeddle with foreign states. Bacon.
Syn. -- To interpose; interfere. See Interpose.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Intermeddle, v. t.
To intermix; to mingle. [Obs.] Many other adventures are intermeddled. Spenser.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for intermeddle; 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 intermeddle is to thrust oneself into the concerns of others with a petty officiousness; meddling commonly arises from idle curiosity; "every fool will be meddling," Prov. xx, 3; to interfere is to intrude into others' affairs with more serious purpose, with or without acknowledged right or propriety. — from interpose