intercalate

[ in-tur-kuh-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·ter·ca·lat·ed, in·ter·ca·lat·ing.

1. to interpolate; interpose.

   Synonyms: insinuate, introduce, interject

2. to insert (an extra day, month, etc.) in the calendar.

intercalate

/ ɪnˈtɜːkəˌleɪt /

verb

1. to insert (one or more days) into the calendar
2. to interpolate or insert

Derived Forms

• inˌtercaˈlation, noun
• inˈtercalative, adjective

Other Words From

• in·terca·lative adjective
• unin·terca·lated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intercalate¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin intercalātus, past participle of intercalāre “to insert a day or month into the calendar,” equivalent to inter- “between, among, together” + calā- (stem of calāre “to proclaim”) + -tus past participle suffix; inter-

Word History and Origins

Origin of intercalate¹

C17: from Latin intercalāre to insert, proclaim that a day has been inserted, from inter- + calāre to proclaim

Example Sentences

Unfortunately, it's difficult to identify in advance which of the many possible intercalated materials are stable, which necessitates a lot of trial-and-error lab work in product development.

From Science Daily

The drift problem led to “intercalating” an extra month periodically to realign with lunar and solar cycles, Palaima said.

From Seattle Times

“The messenger RNA from the vaccine does not form a triple helix, and it certainly doesn’t intercalate with the DNA to form a triple helix in any way,” Kuritzkes said.

From Seattle Times

Eleri was diagnosed while studying a sports science degree at Bangor University in her intercalated year - where students complete another degree in a year.

From BBC

These intercalating molecules seem to affect viral rather than bacterial DNA.

From Nature

Related Words

• embed
• enter
• fill in
• imbed
• implant
• include
• inject
• introduce
• stick