Eavesdrop vs Meddler - What's the difference?
eavesdrop | meddler |
(senseid)To hear a conversation one is not intended to hear; to listen in.
The dripping of rain from the eaves of a house
The space around a house on which such water drips
A concealed aperture through which an occupant of a building can surreptitiously listen to people talking at an entrance to the building
The act of intentionally hearing a conversation not intended to be heard
One who meddles or interferes in something not of their concern.
* 1759 , Adam Smith,
* 1868 , Horatio Alger,
* 1934 , H. P. Lovecraft,
As nouns the difference between eavesdrop and meddler
is that eavesdrop is the dripping of rain from the eaves of a house while meddler is one who meddles or interferes in something not of their concern.As a verb eavesdrop
is (senseid)to hear a conversation one is not intended to hear; to listen in.eavesdrop
English
Verb
(eavesdropp)- I hope nobody was eavesdropping on our conversation last night, since it got so personal.
Usage notes
To eavesdrop usually implies the listener is purposefully trying to hear the conversation of others. To (overhear) is more often accidental.Synonyms
* (hear conversation one is not intended to hear) overhearDerived terms
* eavesdropperNoun
(en noun)Synonyms
* eavesdripmeddler
English
Noun
(en noun)The theory of moral sentiments
- The prudent man is not willing to subject himself to any responsibility which his duty does not impose upon him. He is not a bustler in business where he has no concern; is not a meddler in other people’s affairs; is not a professed counsellor or adviser, who obtrudes his advice where nobody is asking it.
Struggling Upward
- “Yes, Mr. Coleman, I have,” answered Luke steadily. “I thought it my duty to inform this man of your character. I have advised him to put his money into a savings-bank.”
- “Curse you for an impertinent meddler !” said Coleman wrathfully. “I’ll get even with you for this!”
- “You can do as you please,” said Luke calmly.
- “Stop!” The hoarse, oddly alien voice of the Swami held a tone beyond all mere earthly fright “I told you there was another form of proof which I could give if necessary, and I warned you not to provoke me to it. This red-faced old meddler is right; I’m not really an East Indian. This face is a mask, and what it covers is not human.”