umpire: [15] An umpire is etymologically someone who is ‘not the equal’ of others, and is therefore neutral between them. The word’s ultimate source is Old French nomper, a compound noun formed from the prefix non- ‘not’ and per ‘equal’ (source of English peer). This was borrowed into English in the 14th century as noumpere, but soon misdivision of a noumpere as an oumpere led to umpire (the same process produced adder from an original nadder). => peer
umpire (n.)
mid-14c., noumper, from Old French nonper "odd number, not even," in reference to a third person to arbitrate between two, from non "not" (see non-) + per "equal," from Latin par (see par). Initial -n- lost by mid-15c. due to faulty separation of a noumpere, heard as an oumpere. Originally legal, the gaming sense first recorded 1714 (in wrestling).
umpire (v.)
1610s, from umpire (n.). Related: Umpired; umpiring.
双语例句
1. The umpire's decision is final.
裁判的裁定是不可更改的。
来自柯林斯例句
2. We need someone to umpire.
我们得找个人当裁判。
来自《权威词典》
3. The boys had an altercation over the umpire's decision.
男孩子们对裁判的判决颇有争议.
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. The umpire's duty is to see that competition is fair play.