interval
an intervening period of time: an interval of 50 years.
a period of temporary cessation; pause: intervals between the volleys of gunfire.
a space between things, points, limits, etc.; interspace: an interval of ten feet between posts.
Mathematics.
the totality of points on a line between two designated points or endpoints that may or may not be included.
any generalization of this to higher dimensions, as a rectangle with sides parallel to the coordinate axes.
the space between soldiers or units in military formation.
Music. the difference in pitch between two tones, as between two tones sounded simultaneously (harmonic interval ) or between two tones sounded successively (melodic interval ).
Chiefly New England. intervale.
Cards. a period in a game for placing bets.
British. an intermission, as between the acts of a play.
Idioms about interval
at intervals,
at particular periods of time; now and then: At intervals, there were formal receptions at the governor's mansion.
at particular places, with gaps in between: detour signs at intervals along the highway.
Origin of interval
1Other words for interval
Other words from interval
- in·ter·val·ic, in·ter·val·lic [in-ter-val-ik], /ˌɪn tərˈvæl ɪk/, adjective
Words that may be confused with interval
- interval , period
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for interval
/ (ˈɪntəvəl) /
the period of time marked off by or between two events, instants, etc
the distance between two points, objects, etc
a pause or interlude, as between periods of intense activity
British a short period between parts of a play, concert, film, etc; intermission
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
the ratio of the frequencies of two sounds
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
at intervals
occasionally or intermittently
with spaces between
Origin of interval
1Derived forms of interval
- intervallic (ˌɪntəˈvælɪk), adjective
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
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