Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

Interstice

 - 5 dictionary results

in⋅ter⋅stice

[in-tur-stis]
–noun, plural -stic⋅es [-stuh-seez, -stuh-siz] .
1. an intervening space.
2. a small or narrow space or interval between things or parts, esp. when one of a series of alternating uniform spaces and parts: the interstices between the slats of a fence.
3. Roman Catholic Church. the interval of time that must elapse, as required by canon law, before promotion to a higher degree of orders.
4. an interval of time.

Origin:
1595–1605; < L interstitium, equiv. to interstit-, var. s. of intersistere to stand or put between + -ium -ium


in⋅ter⋅sticed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Interstice
in·ter·stice   (ĭn-tûr'stĭs)   
n.   pl. in·ter·stic·es (-stĭ-sēz', -sĭz)
A space, especially a small or narrow one, between things or parts: "There is a gleam of luminous gold, where the sinking western sun has found a first direct interstice in the clouds" (John Fowles).

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin interstitium, from *interstitus, past participle of intersistere, to pause, make a break : inter-, inter- + sistere, to cause to stand, set up; see stā- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

interstice 
1603, from L. interstitium "interval," lit. "space between," from inter- "between" + stem of stare "to stand" (see stet).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: in·ter·stice
Pronunciation: in-'t&r-st&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural in·ter·stic·es /-st&-"sEz, -st&-s&z/
: a space between closely spaced things (as teeth)
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

interstice in·ter·stice (ĭn-tûr'stĭs)
n. pl. in·ter·stic·es (-stĭ-sēz', -sĭz)
A small area, space, or hole in the substance of an organ or tissue.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see Interstice on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: