interval

[in-ter-vuhl]

noun

1. an intervening period of time.

   an interval of 50 years.

2. a period of temporary cessation; pause.

   intervals between the volleys of gunfire.

3. a space between things, points, limits, etc.; interspace.

   an interval of ten feet between posts.

   Synonyms: gulf, separation, gap, opening

4. Mathematics.

   1. the totality of points on a line between two designated points or endpoints that may or may not be included.

   2. any generalization of this to higher dimensions, as a rectangle with sides parallel to the coordinate axes.

5. the space between soldiers or units in military formation.

6. Music.,  the difference in pitch between two tones, as between two tones sounded simultaneously harmonic interval or between two tones sounded successively melodic interval.

7. Chiefly New England.,  intervale.

8. Cards.,  a period in a game for placing bets.

9. British.,  an intermission, as between the acts of a play.

interval

/ ˈɪntəvəl, ˌɪntəˈvælɪk /

noun

1. the period of time marked off by or between two events, instants, etc

2. the distance between two points, objects, etc

3. a pause or interlude, as between periods of intense activity

4. a short period between parts of a play, concert, film, etc; intermission

5. music the difference of pitch between two notes, either sounded simultaneously ( harmonic interval ) or in succession as in a musical part ( melodic interval ). An interval is calculated by counting the (inclusive) number of notes of the diatonic scale between the two notes

   the interval between C and G is a fifth

6. the ratio of the frequencies of two sounds

7. maths the set containing all real numbers or points between two given numbers or points, called the endpoints. A closed interval includes the endpoints, but an open interval does not

8. 1. occasionally or intermittently

   2. with spaces between

Other Word Forms

• intervalic adjective
• intervallic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of interval¹

1250–1300; Middle English intervall ( e ) < Latin intervallum interval, literally, space between two palisades. See inter-, wall

Word History and Origins

Origin of interval¹

C13: from Latin intervallum, literally: space between two palisades, from _inter- + vallum palisade, rampart

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at intervals,

   1. at particular periods of time; now and then.

      At intervals, there were formal receptions at the governor's mansion.

   2. at particular places, with gaps in between.

      detour signs at intervals along the highway.

Example Sentences

The cowlike lowing sounds came at intervals, and an impromptu waiting room sprang up in the parlor.

Read more on Literature

“Nevermore!” the bird was prone to cry, at frequent, rhyming intervals.

Read more on Literature

“We shall purchase snacks at the interval. Now, let us listen to the play.”

Read more on Literature

The challenge is tied to the interval between computational steps: to capture rapid events such as supernova evolution, the simulation must advance in very small time increments.

Read more on Science Daily

By the interval, the visitors were right back in it, trailing by just seven points thanks to efforts from Bristol centre Ravouvou and Ravumautada.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• hiatus 
• intermission 
• interruption 
• layoff 
• lull 
• spell