Etymology From a Middle English rebracketing of a noumper as an oumper, from Old French nonper (“odd number, not even (as a tie-breaking arbitrator)”), from non (“not”) + per (“equal”), from Latin par (“equal”).
And you, O King, and you, O Goldry Bluszco, are likewise bound by oath to wrastle fairly and to abide by the ruling of me, the Red Foliot, whom ye are content to choose as your umpire.1922, E[ric] R[ücker] Eddison, The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance, London: Jonathan Cape […], →OCLC, page 20:
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Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports, Tennis The official who presides over a tennis match sat on a high chair.
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Ball games, Cricket, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports One of the two white-coated officials who preside over a cricket match.
The umpire must keep on his toes as the play often occurs around him.
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A match official on the ground deciding and enforcing the rules during play. There may be up to four umpires depending on the league. The other officials, the goal umpires and boundary umpires, are usually referred to by those phrases.
Law A person who arbitrates between contending parties.
You for their umpire and their ſynod take, / And their appeal alone to Cæſar make.a. 1701 (date written), John Dryden, “To His Sacred Majesty. A Panegyric on his Coronation.”, in The Miscellaneous Works of John Dryden, […], volume I, London: […] J[acob] and R[ichard] Tonson, […], published 1760, →OCLC, page 34:
Etymology From a Middle English rebracketing of a noumper as an oumper, from Old French nonper (“odd number, not even (as a tie-breaking arbitrator)”), from non (“not”) + per (“equal”), from Latin par (“equal”).
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Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports To act as an umpire in a game.
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To decide as an umpire.
Judges appointed to umpire the matter in contest between them, and to decide where the right lies.1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: