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intermit

[in-ter-mit]
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verb (used with object), in·ter·mit·ted, in·ter·mit·ting.
  1. to discontinue temporarily; suspend.
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.

Origin of intermit

1535–45; < Latin intermittere to leave a space between, drop (for a while), leave off, equivalent to inter- inter- + mittere to send, let go
Related formsin·ter·mit·ter, in·ter·mit·tor, nounin·ter·mit·ting·ly, adverbun·in·ter·mit·ted, adjectiveun·in·ter·mit·ting, adjective

Synonyms

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1, 3. interrupt. 3. desist.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for intermit

Historical Examples

  • There was no answer and no intermit to the sobs and tears she was pouring on my letter.

    Woven with the Ship

    Cyrus Townsend Brady

  • And having risen, he did not intermit his industry for a moment.

    The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte

    William Milligan Sloane

  • Intermit′tence, Intermit′tency, state of being intermittent.

  • The other is to intermit it wholly for a certain period, and let other subjects have their swing.

    Practical Essays

    Alexander Bain

  • I will do this tonic justice, and frankly admit that the accursed portrait began to intermit its visits under its influence.

British Dictionary definitions for intermit

intermit

verb -mits, -mitting or -mitted
  1. to suspend (activity) or (of activity) to be suspended temporarily or at intervals
Derived Formsintermittingly, adverbintermittor, noun

Word Origin

C16: from Latin intermittere to leave off, from inter- + mittere to send
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for intermit

v.

1540s, from Latin intermittere "to leave off, omit, suspend, interrupt, neglect," from inter- "between" (see inter-) + mittere "to send" (see mission). Related: Intermitted; intermitting; intermittingly.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper