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intermittent

 - 5 dictionary results

in⋅ter⋅mit⋅tent

[in-ter-mit-nt]
–adjective
1. stopping or ceasing for a time; alternately ceasing and beginning again: an intermittent pain.
2. alternately functioning and not functioning or alternately functioning properly and improperly.
3. (of streams, lakes, or springs) recurrent; showing water only part of the time.

Origin:
1595–1605; < L intermittent- (s. of intermittēns) prp. of intermittere to intermit; see -ent


in⋅ter⋅mit⋅tence, in⋅ter⋅mit⋅ten⋅cy, noun
in⋅ter⋅mit⋅tent⋅ly, adverb


1. interrupted, sporadic.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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in·ter·mit·tent   (ĭn'tər-mĭt'nt)   
adj.  
  1. Stopping and starting at intervals. See Synonyms at periodic.

  2. Alternately containing and empty of water: an intermittent lake.

in'ter·mit'tence n., in'ter·mit'tent·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

intermittent 
1603, from L. intermittentem (nom. intermittens), prp. of intermittere (see intermission).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: in·ter·mit·tent
Pronunciation: "int-&r-'mit-&nt
Function: adjective
: coming and going at intervals : not continuous <intermittent fever> —in·ter·mit·tence /-&n(t)s/ noun
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

intermittent in·ter·mit·tent (ĭn'tər-mĭt'nt)
adj.

  1. Stopping and starting at intervals.

  2. Marked by intervals of complete quietude occurring between two periods of activity.


in'ter·mit'tence n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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