interstice definition | Dictionary.com

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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in·ter·stice (ĭn-tûr'stĭs) Pronunciation Key
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 © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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
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interstice
noun
1.	a small structural space between tissues or parts of an organ; "the interstices of a network"
2.	small opening between things

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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interstice (ĭn-tûr'stĭs) Pronunciation Key
An opening or space, especially a small or narrow one between mineral grains in a rock or within sediments or soil.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Interstice

In*ter"stice\ (?; 277), n.; pl. Interstices. [L. interstitium a pause, interval; inter between + sistere to set, fr. stare to stand: cf. F. interstice. See Stand.]

1. That which intervenes between one thing and another; especially, a space between things closely set, or between the parts which compose a body; a narrow chink; a crack; a crevice; a hole; an interval; as, the interstices of a wall.

2. An interval of time; specifically (R. C. Ch.), in the plural, the intervals which the canon law requires between the reception of the various degrees of orders.

Nonobservance of the interstices . . . is a sin. --Addis & Arnold.

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