interstice

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A small opening or space between objects, especially adjacent objects or objects set closely together, such as between cords in a rope, components of a multiconductor electrical cable or atoms in a crystal.
  2. A fragment of space.
  3. An interval of time required by the Roman Catholic Church between the attainment of different degrees of an order.
  4. A small interval of time free to be spent on activities other than one's primary goal.

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈtɜː.stɪs/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-interstice.wav /ɪnˈtɚ.stəs/

Word forms

interstice interstices

Etymology

From late Middle English interstice, from Old French interstice or directly from Latin interstitium (“a space between, gap, interval”), ultimately from intersistere (“to stand in between, to stop in the middle”), from inter- + sistere (“to stand, to stop”).

Translations

Finnish: väli Finnish: rako Finnish: tauko Russian: промежу́ток
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