interlocutory
Americanadjective
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of the nature of, pertaining to, or occurring in conversation.
interlocutory instruction.
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interjected into the main course of speech.
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Law.
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pronounced during the course of an action, as a decision; not finally decisive of a case.
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pertaining to an intermediate decision.
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adjective
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law pronounced during the course of proceedings; provisional
an interlocutory injunction
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interposed, as into a conversation, narrative, etc
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of, relating to, or characteristic of dialogue
Other Word Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
“The underlying motions for interlocutory relief along with any additional, dispositive motions shall be assigned to a three-Judge panel of this Court following expiration of the response time provided in the Civil Rules.”
From Seattle Times • Apr. 1, 2022
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
Brody calls his interlocutory approach “ ‘Bless your heart’ style.”
From Slate • Jan. 4, 2018
That must be pendente lite, an interlocutory proceeding, in the action.
From The Ivory Gate, a new edition by Besant, Walter, Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
