Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

intercalary

[in-tur-kuh-ler-ee, in-ter-kal-uh-ree]
adjective
  1. interpolated; interposed.
  2. inserted or interpolated in the calendar, as an extra day or month.
  3. having such an inserted day, month, etc., as a particular year.
Show More

Origin of intercalary

1605–15; < Latin intercalārius, equivalent to intercal(āre) to intercalate + -ārius -ary
Related formsin·ter·ca·lar·i·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for intercalary

Historical Examples

  • But to quit this episode, and to return to my intercalary year of happiness.

    Confessions of an English Opium-Eater

    Thomas De Quincey

  • The intercalary month was inserted between the 23rd and 24th of February.

    The Letters of Cicero, Volume 1

    Marcus Tullius Cicero

  • It might be that an intercalary month should be added, and cause delay.

    The Life of Cicero

    Anthony Trollope

  • Now in leap-year the 29th day of February is the additional or intercalary day.

    Our Calendar

    George Nichols Packer

  • Also, no dendrobatid has intercalary elements in the digits.

British Dictionary definitions for intercalary

intercalary

adjective
  1. (of a day, month, etc) inserted in the calendar
  2. (of a particular year) having one or more days inserted
  3. inserted, introduced, or interpolated
  4. botany growing between the upper branches and the lower branches or bracts on a stem
Show More
Derived Formsintercalarily, adverb

Word Origin

C17: from Latin intercalārius; see intercalate
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 intercalary

adj.

1610s, from Latin intercalarius, from intercalare (see intercalate).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
intercalary in Medicine

intercalary

(ĭn-tûr′kə-lĕr′ē, ĭn′tər-kăl′ə-rē)
adj.
  1. Occurring between two others, as an upstroke between two normal pulse beats in a pulse tracing.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.