interstitial

[ in-ter-stish-uh l ]

/ ˌɪn tərˈstɪʃ əl /

adjective

pertaining to, situated in, or forming interstices.

Anatomy. situated between the cells of a structure or part: interstitial tissue.

noun

Crystallography. an imperfection in a crystal caused by the presence of an extra atom in an otherwise complete lattice.Compare vacancy(def 6).

Nearby words

interstate highway system, interstellar, interstellar medium, interstellar space, interstice, interstitial, interstitial cell, interstitial cell-stimulating hormone, interstitial cystitis, interstitial disease, interstitial emphysema

Origin of interstitial

1640–50; < Latin interstiti(um) interstice + -al¹

Related formsin·ter·sti·tial·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for interstitial

Your use of the second person in interstitial sections of the novel is so powerful, and unique.
Susan Minot on Africa, Joseph Kony, and the Limits of Writing About Love|Lea Carpenter|February 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In all cases the dimensions of the leaf are enlarged by interstitial growth of its parts.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 16, Slice 3|Various
Allied to these are olivine-free dolerites with more or less of interstitial glassy base (tholeites, &c.).
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 6|Various
The interstitial figures thus formed are often of such a character as to be taken for the true 114 design.
Ancient art of the province of Chiriqui, Colombia|William Henry Holmes

Exactly the same result, moreover, followed evacuation of the interstitial blood effusions already mentioned elsewhere.
Surgical Experiences in South Africa, 1899-1900|George Henry Makins
The interstitial form is especially liable to rupture with suddenly fatal hemorrhage.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine|Austin Malley

British Dictionary definitions for interstitial

interstitial

/ (ˌɪntəˈstɪʃəl) /

adjective

of or relating to an interstice or interstices

physics forming or occurring in an intersticean interstitial atom

chem containing interstitial atoms or ionsan interstitial compound

anatomy zoology occurring in the spaces between organs, tissues, etcinterstitial cells

noun

chem an atom or ion situated in the interstices of a crystal lattice

Derived Formsinterstitially, adverb

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 interstitial

interstitial

adj.

1640s, from Latin interstitium (see interstice) + -al (1). Related: Interstitially.

Medicine definitions for interstitial

interstitial

[ ĭn′tər-stĭsh′əl ]

adj.

Relating to or situated in the small, narrow spaces between tissues or parts of an organ.