ENGLISH
REFERENCE

inter

v.
US //ˌɪnˈtɝ// in·ter
  1. 1 to bury a body (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal

    to bury a dead person in a grave or tomb, usually with a ceremony.

    to place a corpse in a grave or tomb, typically with funeral rites. Transitive; requires a direct object.

    Example

    The fallen soldiers were interred in the national cemetery with full military honours.

    Example

    After the state funeral, the monarch's remains were interred in the royal vault alongside those of her predecessors.

    Usage

    Often used in the passive voice in news reports or historical accounts.
    • exhume
    • disinter
  2. 2 to confine (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary Formal

    to trap or keep someone or something in a restricted place.

    to confine or imprison, often in a restricted or isolated location. Transitive; less common than the sense of burial.

    Example

    The political prisoners were interred in a remote facility far from the city.

    Example

    The ancient documents were interred in the deep archives of the university, hidden from public view for centuries.

    Teacher's tip

    Learners often confuse this with 'intern' (to confine during war) or 'inter' (to bury). While related, 'inter' is most frequently used for burial.
Origin

From Middle English enteren, borrowed from Old French enterrer, enterer, from Vulgar Latin *interrāre (“to put in earth”).

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