interlace

American  

[in-ter-leys, in-ter-leys] / ˌɪn tərˈleɪs, ˈɪn tərˌleɪs /

verb (used without object)

interlaced, interlacing

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

   Their hands interlaced.

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verb (used with object)

interlaced, interlacing

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 British  

/ 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. to change the pattern of; diversify; intersperse

   to interlace a speech with humour

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Other Word Forms

• interlacedly adverb
• interlacement noun
• uninterlaced adjective

Etymology

Origin of interlace

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

Example Sentences

That vertical and horizontal interlace — a grid — had been a fundamental structure for Modern abstraction, which was being entirely rethought after the 1960s.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2023

I reach for Michael's hand and interlace our fingers.

From Salon • Feb. 13, 2022

A 14th-century Hebrew Bible shimmers with Islamic interlace patterns.

From New York Times • Feb. 3, 2022

The totems interlace fabric, twine and what sometimes appear to be animal or human organs.

From Washington Post • Jan. 28, 2022

For the first time, I notice they don’t interlace smoothly.

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson

Related Words

• interweave