intermit

[ in-ter-mit ]

verb (used with object)

, in·ter·mit·ted, in·ter·mit·ting.

1. to discontinue temporarily; suspend.

   Synonyms: interrupt

verb (used without object)

, in·ter·mit·ted, in·ter·mit·ting.

1. to stop or pause at intervals; be intermittent.
2. to cease, stop, or break off operations for a time.

   Synonyms: desist, interrupt

intermit

/ ˌɪntəˈmɪt /

verb

1. to suspend (activity) or (of activity) to be suspended temporarily or at intervals

Derived Forms

• ˌinterˈmittor, noun
• ˌinterˈmittingly, adverb

Other Words From

• inter·mitter inter·mittor noun
• inter·mitting·ly adverb
• unin·ter·mitted adjective
• unin·ter·mitting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intermit¹

1535–45; < Latin intermittere to leave a space between, drop (for a while), leave off, equivalent to inter- inter- + mittere to send, let go

Word History and Origins

Origin of intermit¹

C16: from Latin intermittere to leave off, from inter- + mittere to send

Example Sentences

Mrs Ndisang said "no reason was given" as to why intermission was refused "but it was very clear intermitting was not an option".

From BBC

But county officials also warned that there may still be lingering, intermitting connection issues.

From Washington Times

And François Lutzoni, an evolutionary biologist at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, sees similar fast evolution in lichens, another intermit partnership.

From Science Magazine

Every term more students “intermit” – the Cambridge term for taking some time out.

From The Guardian

He was not ill above four or five days; an old hurt in his leg, which has been some time healed up, broke out again, and put him into an intermitting fever.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adjourn
• bar
• block
• defer
• detain
• hamper
• hold
• impede
• keep
• obstruct
• postpone
• prevent
• prolong
• put off
• restrict
• shelve
• stall
• stay
• suspend
• withhold