dictionary definitions for "tamper"


From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Tamper \Tamp"er\, n.
     1. One who tamps; specifically, one who prepares for
        blasting, by filling the hole in which the charge is
        placed.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. An instrument used in tamping; a tamping iron.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Tamper \Tam"per\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Tampered; p. pr. & vb.
     n. Tampering.] [A corruption of temper.]
     1. To meddle; to be busy; to try little experiments; as, to
        tamper with a disease.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              'T is dangerous tampering with a muse. --Roscommon.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To meddle so as to alter, injure, or vitiate a thing.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. To deal unfairly; to practice secretly; to use bribery.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Others tampered
              For Fleetwood, Desborough, and Lambert. --Hudibras.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:

  tamper
      n 1: a tool for tamping (e.g., for tamping tobacco into a pipe
           bowl or a charge into a drill hole etc.) [syn: tamp,
           tamper, tamping bar]
      v 1: play around with or alter or falsify, usually secretively
           or dishonestly; "Someone tampered with the documents on my
           desk"; "The reporter fiddle with the facts" [syn: tamper,
           fiddle, monkey]
      2: intrude in other people's affairs or business; interfere
         unwantedly; "Don't meddle in my affairs!" [syn: meddle,
         tamper]


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