Also 7 vmpeere, vmper. [f. prec.]
† 1. trans. To adjudge, appoint (a person to an office), in virtue of being umpire. Obs.–1
1592. Bacon, Observ. Libel, in Resuscitatio (1657), 123. That no King of Spain, nor Bishop of Rome, shall umpire, or promote, any beneficiary, or feodatory, King, as they designed to do.
† 2. To decide between (persons) as umpire; to act as umpire to. Obs. rare.
1611. T. James, Corrupt. Scripture, IV. 19. Who shall reconcile or vmpire them, decide doubts, determine questions, and take vp all controuersies?
a. 1657. R. Loveday, Lett. (1663), 19. He is now the great Cardinal that umpires almost all Christendom.
3. To settle or decide (a matter in dispute) as umpire or after the manner of an umpire.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. viii. 24. The Pope … therfore vndertooke to vmpeere the debates betwixt those two great Enemies.
1622. Mabbe, trans. Aleman’s Guzman d’Alf., I. 101. The Clergy-men interposed themselues; they were to vmpire the businesse betweene vs.
1637. Cartwright, Royal Slave, IV. iv. I have Two or three servants within call here, they Shall umpire this your variance.
1675. R. Burthogge, Causa Dei, 379. It was the Office of the Druids … to decide and umpire Controversies.
1710. R. Ward, Life H. More, 121. I have heard him pleasantly speaking, How he was fain to umpire the matter between his Mirth and his Sadder Tempers.
b. transf. Of things.
1609. [Bp. W. Barlow], Answ. Nameless Cath., 322. The question also then in hand beeing to bee vmper’d onely by the holy Scripture.
1629. N. Carpenter, Achitophel, II. (1640), 115. Queasi stomacks had rather appetite should umpire their desires, then judgement.
1674. T. Flatman, Desperate Lover, 2/8. A turfe of grass or Monument of Stone Umpires the petty competition.
4. spec. To supervise (games or contests) in the capacity of umpire.
1861. Times, 12 July. The regatta yesterday was exceedingly well managed, and the races umpired by gentlemen of the Universities.
1884. Harper’s Mag., Oct., 726/1. It is not an unusual sight to see a game among the officers ‘umpired’ by some … non-commissioned officer.
1887. Field, 13 Aug., 283/3. The various competitions were umpired from the bows of a launch.
b. To give (a player) out, as umpire.
1894. Daily News, 20 June, 5/2. Conceivably, he ‘umpired out’ the other side whenever he had an opportunity.
5. intr. To act as umpire. Also const. between, betwixt.
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage (1614), 328. We list not to vmpire betwixt Geographers.
a. 1638. Mede, Wks. (1672), 746. Even Cæsar at first umpired between her and her brother, in matters of difference between them.
a. 1688. Cudworth, Freewill (1838), 42. In this contest there is no necessary understanding interposing and coming in to umpire between, that does unavoidably and irresistibly determine one way or other.
1716. M. Davies, Athen. Brit., II. 243. I am sure nothing can be justly pleaded in Bar to their undoubted Prerogative … to Umpire in this Contest about Primitive Christianity.
1881. W. Thomson, Bacon & Shakespeare, 29. None will be readier than he to umpire justly.
1901. Weekly Register, 22 Nov., 649/2. The famous cricketer, who often used to umpire at boys’ matches.
b. With it.
1620. Brathwait, Five Senses, in Archaica (1815), II. 51. Nobly interposing himself … to umpire it, that it may be more evenly carried, and more equally composed.
1627. W. Sclater, Exp. 2 Thess. (1629), 299. While Thomas … must vmpire it in Religion.
1695. J. Sage, Article, Wks. 1844, I. 268. She umpired it between the Queen of Scotland and those who appeared for her son.
Hence † Umpirer, an umpire. Obs. rare.
1650. Fuller, Pisgah, I. x. 32. If the extent of their dominions be surveyed, and our eye in the Map made umpirer therein, the case is clear.
1675. J. Smith, Chr. Relig. Appeal, IV. 97. The Umpirers of Difference among the Nations of the World.
