interlace

[ in-ter-leys, in-ter-leys ]

verb (used without object)

, in·ter·laced, in·ter·lac·ing.

1. to cross one another, typically passing alternately over and under, as if woven together; intertwine:

   Their hands interlaced.

verb (used with object)

, in·ter·laced, in·ter·lac·ing.

1. to unite or arrange (threads, strips, parts, branches, etc.) so as to intercross one another, passing alternately over and under; intertwine.
2. to mingle; blend.
3. to diversify, as with threads woven in.
4. to intersperse; intermingle:

   She interlaced her lecture on Schubert with some of his songs.

interlace

/ ˌɪntəˈleɪs; ˌɪntəˈleɪsɪdlɪ /

verb

1. to join together (patterns, fingers, etc) by crossing, as if woven; intertwine
2. tr to mingle or blend in an intricate way
3. trusually foll bywith to change the pattern of; diversify; intersperse

   to interlace a speech with humour

Derived Forms

• interlacedly, adverb
• ˌinterˈlacement, noun

Other Words From

• in·ter·lac·ed·ly [in-ter-, ley, -sid-lee], adverb
• inter·lacement noun
• unin·ter·laced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of interlace¹

1325–75; inter- + lace; replacing Middle English entrelacen < Middle French en-trelacer

Example Sentences

At least in the context she was talking about, outside of old disposable camera photographs, I had no clue who these people really were, despite their lives’ obvious interlacing with my own.

From Salon

Clarissa Tossin takes viewers on a journey from the Amazon to outer space to reveal how technology is interlaced with colonialism.

From New York Times

Keeping its legacy alive and interlaced with the community was another — and, for Historic Seattle, relatively new, humbling territory.

From Seattle Times

Besides interlacing environmental, scientific and social themes that whirl through zealotry and nihilism, it’s also a first-contact scenario that forces a reckoning.

From Salon

While some propaganda is mendacious, the most effective propaganda will interlace carefully selected verifiable facts with emotional appeals.

From Salon

Related Words

• interweave