intermit

[ in-ter-mit ]
See synonyms for: intermitintermitted on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),in·ter·mit·ted, in·ter·mit·ting.
  1. to discontinue temporarily; suspend.

verb (used without object),in·ter·mit·ted, in·ter·mit·ting.
  1. to stop or pause at intervals; be intermittent.

  2. to cease, stop, or break off operations for a time.

Origin of intermit

1
1535–45; <Latin intermittere to leave a space between, drop (for a while), leave off, equivalent to inter-inter- + mittere to send, let go

Other words for intermit

Other words from intermit

  • in·ter·mit·ter, in·ter·mit·tor, noun
  • in·ter·mit·ting·ly, adverb
  • un·in·ter·mit·ted, adjective
  • un·in·ter·mit·ting, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use intermit in a sentence

  • At intervals the bells of the churches intermitted their clangor, no doubt in the hope of having silenced the belfry.

  • While these dispositions were being made, the skirmishing and cannonade were never intermitted for an instant.

    The Boys of '61 | Charles Carleton Coffin.
  • Indeed, the lava was now almost ceasing to flow, and the bombardment of pumice-stone and fiery cinders had intermitted a little.

    The White Man's Foot | Grant Allen
  • Her heart struggled, intermitted its beat, then throbbed against his reclining head as if it were a hammer.

    Sevenoaks | J. G. Holland
  • Presently they were setting; up the house at Beckengham, and my aunt intermitted her intellectual activities.

    Tono Bungay | H. G. Wells

British Dictionary definitions for intermit

intermit

/ (ˌɪntəˈmɪt) /


verb-mits, -mitting or -mitted
  1. to suspend (activity) or (of activity) to be suspended temporarily or at intervals

Origin of intermit

1
C16: from Latin intermittere to leave off, from inter- + mittere to send

Derived forms of intermit

  • intermittingly, adverb
  • intermittor, noun

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