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. at intervals
   1. occasionally or intermittently
   2. with spaces between

Derived Forms

• intervallic, adjective

Other Words From

• in·ter·val·ic in·ter·val·lic [in-ter-, val, -ik], 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

You computed that you heard zero signals in 45 percent of the intervals, one signal in 38 percent of the intervals and two signals in the remaining 17 percent of the intervals.

From FiveThirtyEight

Last week, you were analyzing some unusual signals from deep space, measured at many regular intervals.

From FiveThirtyEight

Thereafter, you need to post meticulously, regularly, and on specific pre-decided intervals.

From Search Engine Watch

Scientists are performing different tests, using different case definitions or reporting methods, and using different time intervals across different geographical areas.

From Quanta Magazine

Reviews of its SEO performance should be conducted whenever you make changes – and at regular intervals, as a matter of best practice.

From Search Engine Watch

The interval between possession and hell was short,” he says, “though I admit it was wonderful.

From The Daily Beast

Five times during that span, the majority of species on the planet vanished in a short interval of time.

From The Daily Beast

After her first audible prompt, which came shortly after the interval, the audience sat patiently.

From The Daily Beast

Each health risk was presented honestly and intelligently with a confidential interval.

From The Daily Beast

This “lucid interval” is found in nearly half of all cases of epidural hematoma (Bullock, Neurosurgery, 2006).

From The Daily Beast

Drowned every few seconds by our tremendous salvoes, this more nervous noise crept back insistently into our ears in the interval.

From Project Gutenberg

The song stopped abruptly, the music died away, there was an interval of silence no one broke.

From Project Gutenberg

This short interval had more than sufficed for De Lucenay's mysterious operations.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Pontellier once more seated himself with elevated feet, and after a reasonable interval of time smoked some more cigars.

From Project Gutenberg

I have not done this before as I had not sufficient leisure to examine them, or do so in the interval allowed by the season.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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