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/.

an intervening space.
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.

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

Origin of interstice

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.
The Irrefutable Moral Case Against Goldman | Tunku Varadarajan | April 19, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
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)

a minute opening or crevice between things
physics the space between adjacent atoms in a crystal lattice

Origin of interstice

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-tûr′stĭs ]

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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