interlocutory

American  

[in-ter-lok-yuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ˌɪn tərˈlɒk yəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

1. of the nature of, pertaining to, or occurring in conversation.

   interlocutory instruction.

2. interjected into the main course of speech.

3. Law.

   1. pronounced during the course of an action, as a decision; not finally decisive of a case.

   2. pertaining to an intermediate decision.

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interlocutory British  

/ ˌɪntəˈlɒkjʊtərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. law pronounced during the course of proceedings; provisional

   an interlocutory injunction

2. interposed, as into a conversation, narrative, etc

3. of, relating to, or characteristic of dialogue

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Other Word Forms

• interlocutorily adverb

Etymology

Origin of interlocutory

From the Medieval Latin word interlocūtōrius, dating back to 1580–90. See interlocutor, -tory ¹

Explanation

Interlocutory can mean "conversational," like the awkward dialogue that two strangers might have about the weather while riding in an elevator. The Latin root of interlocutory is interloqui, "speak between." These days, this adjective is most often used in a legal context, to mean "temporary" or "non-final." An interlocutory decree, for example, is a judge's decision that doesn't settle the whole matter, but needs further court action to be complete. This definition comes from the "speak between" root of interlocutory, a reference to the period between legal actions, or discussion that happens in the middle of a lawsuit.

Example Sentences

The court emphasized that in criminal cases, the compelling interest in prompt trials demands that courts apply the interlocutory appeal doctrine “with utmost strictness.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 3, 2024

Judge Anthony Chan on Wednesday granted the government permission to appeal against his previous ruling, but insisted the grant of an interlocutory injunction banning the song is a matter for the court to decide.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 23, 2023

When Mr. Harvey lost a pretrial motion, his lawyers filed what is known as an interlocutory appeal with the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver.

From Washington Post • Feb. 4, 2022

The governor filed a motion for emergency interlocutory injunction the following day, essentially asking the judge to order that all those requests take immediate effect while the lawsuit is pending.

From Washington Times • Jul. 20, 2020

And two or three other interlocutory remarks like that, meaning nothing in particular.

From The Whole Family: a Novel by Twelve Authors by Andrews, Mary Raymond Shipman