interstice

[ in-tur-stis ]
See synonyms for interstice on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural in·ter·stic·es [in-tur-stuh-seez, -stuh-siz]. /ɪnˈtɜr stəˌsiz, -stə sɪz/.
  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.

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

  2. an interval of time.

Origin of interstice

1
1595–1605; <Latin interstitium, equivalent to interstit-, variant stem of intersistere to stand or put between + -ium-ium

Other words from interstice

  • in·ter·sticed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use interstice in a sentence

  • And it is here, in the interstices between the law and morality, that the pressure for reform starts to build up irresistibly.

  • White cliffs stretched high above the camp, with pine-trees growing at all angles from the interstices of rock.

    Mystery Ranch | Arthur Chapman
  • In some places it would appear that they were built up wall-shape, liquid cement being poured into the interstices.

    The Towns of Roman Britain | James Oliver Bevan
  • Nearer came the feet, and I peered between the interstices of the screening balustrade.

    Valley of the Croen | Lee Tarbell
  • All day they journeyed through its savage interstices and struggled with its monstrosities of trap and sandstone.

    Overland | John William De Forest
  • They supported themselves confusedly one against the other, leaving interstices like a heap of ruins.

    Toilers of the Sea | Victor Hugo

British Dictionary definitions for interstice

interstice

/ (ɪnˈtɜːstɪs) /


noun(usually plural)
  1. a minute opening or crevice between things

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

Origin of interstice

1
C17: from Latin interstitium interval, from intersistere, from inter- + sistere to stand

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

Scientific definitions for interstice

interstice

[ ĭn-tûrstĭs ]


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

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.