interstice

American  

[in-tur-stis] / ɪnˈtɜr stɪs /

noun

plural

interstices

1. an intervening space.

2. a small or narrow space or interval between things or parts, especially when one of a series of alternating uniform spaces and parts.

   the interstices between the slats of a fence.

3. Roman Catholic Church. the interval of time that must elapse, as required by canon law, before promotion to a higher degree of orders.

4. an interval of time.

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interstice British  

/ ɪnˈtɜːstɪs /

noun

1. a minute opening or crevice between things

2. physics the space between adjacent atoms in a crystal lattice

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interstice Scientific  

/ ĭn-tûr′stĭs /

1. An opening or space, especially a small or narrow one between mineral grains in a rock or within sediments or soil.

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Other Word Forms

• intersticed adjective

Etymology

Origin of interstice

1595–1605; < Latin interstitium, equivalent to interstit-, variant stem of intersistere to stand or put between + -ium -ium

Example Sentences

The actors wallow in the interstices of the dialogue.

From Los Angeles Times

If Joan Didion had an overarching preoccupation as a journalist and novelist, it was to find interstices where truth and myth blend into each other.

From Los Angeles Times

But the plays take place between these shattering events, in the interstices of the drama, where time quietly registers its ultimate authorial presence.

From Los Angeles Times

On the roof, a 28½-foot travertine bench is installed along one side of a long pool that’s horizontally bisected by five thick concrete walls; Kalach, 63, calls the resulting interstices “cubicles.”

From New York Times

Price herself was well aware of racial interstices.

From New York Times