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interval

 [in-ter-vuhl]   Origin

in·ter·val

   [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.
4.
Mathematics.
a.
the totality of points on a line between two designated points or endpoints that may or may not be included.
b.
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.
EXPAND
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.
COLLAPSE
Idiom
10.
at intervals,
a.
at particular periods of time; now and then: At intervals, there were formal receptions at the governor's mansion.
b.
at particular places, with gaps in between: detour signs at intervals along the highway.

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Interval is always a great word to know.
So is system of equations. Does it mean:
two or more equations containing common variable
graph with two axes and four quadrants
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English intervall(e) < Latin intervallum interval, literally, space between two palisades. See inter-, wall

Related forms
in·ter·val·ic, in·ter·val·lic  [in-ter-val-ik] , adjective

Can be confused: interval, period.

Synonyms
3. opening, gap, separation, gulf.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To interval
Collins
World English Dictionary
interval (ˈɪntəvəl)
 
—n
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.  (Brit) 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
 a.  occasionally or intermittently
 b.  with spaces between
 
[C13: from Latin intervallum, literally: space between two palisades, from inter- + vallum palisade, rampart]
 
intervallic
 
—adj

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

interval
c.1300, from O.Fr. intervalle (14c.), earlier entreval (13c.), from L.L. intervallum, originally "space between palisades or ramparts," from inter- "between" + vallum "rampart." Metaphoric sense of "gap in time" was present in L.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

interval in·ter·val (ĭn'tər-vəl)
n.

  1. A space between two objects, points, or units.

  2. The amount of time between two specified instants, events, or states.

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