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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.
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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.
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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 for intermit

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

Related Words for intermit

hinder, prevent, intrude, inhibit, impede, obstruct, hamper, defer, suspend, stop, detain, delay, arrest, postpone, hold, waive, bar, halt, eject, interrupt

Examples from the Web for intermit

Historical Examples of intermit

  • 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
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Derived Formsintermittingly, adverbintermittor, noun

Word Origin for intermit

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper