umpire Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an official at a baseball game
    ump.
  2. noun someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
    arbitrator; arbiter.
    • the critic was considered to be an arbiter of modern literature
    • the arbitrator's authority derived from the consent of the disputants
    • an umpire was appointed to settle the tax case
  3. verb be a referee or umpire in a sports competition
    referee.

WordNet

Um"pire noun
Etymology
OE. nompere, nounpere (also impier, fr. F. impair uneven), fr. OF. nomper uneven, F. non-pair; hence the meaning, uneven, i. e., third person; non not + OF. per even, equal, peer, F. pair; cf. L. impar uneven, unequal. See Non-, and Peer, n.
Definitions
  1. A person to whose sole decision a controversy or question between parties is referred; especially, one chosen to see that the rules of a game, as cricket, baseball, or the like, are strictly observed.
    A man, in questions of this kind, is able to be a skillful umpire between himself and others. Barrow.
  2. (Law) A third person, who is to decide a controversy or question submitted to arbitrators in case of their disagreement. Blackstone. Syn. -- Judge; arbitrator; referee. See Judge.
Um"pire transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Umpired ; present participle & verbal noun Umpiring
Definitions
  1. To decide as umpire; to arbitrate; to settle, as a dispute.
    Judges appointed to umpire the matter in contest between them, and to decide where the right lies. South.
  2. To perform the duties of umpire in or for; as, to umpire a game. Colloq.
Um"pire intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To act as umpire or arbitrator.

Webster 1913