interval definition | Dictionary.com

Synonyms

interstice, separation, armistice, breach, break, caesura, delay, gap, hiatus, interim, interlude, intermission

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interval - 6 dictionary results

in⋅ter⋅val

[in-ter-vuh

–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.

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.

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.

—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.

Origin:
1250–1300; ME intervall(e) < L intervallum interval, lit., space between two palisades. See inter-, wall

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : interval

Spanish:

intervalo,

German:

der Zwischenraum,die Zwischenzeit,

Japanese:

間隔

View 30 other languages »

in·ter·val (ĭn'tər-vəl) Pronunciation Key
n.

A space between two objects, points, or units.
The amount of time between two specified instants, events, or states.
One of a series of predetermined distances covered at regular time increments with intermittent periods of rest in an athletic workout.
Mathematics
1. A set of numbers consisting of all the numbers between a pair of given numbers along with either, both, or none of the endpoints.
2. A closed interval.
3. An open interval.
4. A half-open interval.
5. A line segment representing the set of numbers in an interval.
Chiefly British An intermission, as between acts of a play.
Music The difference, usually expressed in the number of steps, between two pitches.

[Middle English intervalle, from Old French, from Latin intervallum : inter-, inter- + vallum, rampart.]

in'ter·val'ic, in'ter·val'lic (-vāl'ĭk) adj.

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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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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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interval
noun
1.	a definite length of time marked off by two instants [syn: time interval]
2.	a set containing all points (or all real numbers) between two given endpoints
3.	the distance between things; "fragile items require separation and cushioning"
4.	the difference in pitch between two notes

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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interval

Dis"tance\, n. [F. distance, L. distantia.]

1. The space between two objects; the length of a line, especially the shortest line joining two points or things that are separate; measure of separation in place.

Every particle attracts every other with a force . . . inversely proportioned to the square of the distance. --Sir I. Newton.

2. Remoteness of place; a remote place.

Easily managed from a distance. --W. Irving.

'T is distance lends enchantment to the view. --T. Campbell.

[He] waits at distance till he hears from Cato. --Addison.

3. (Racing) A space marked out in the last part of a race course.

The horse that ran the whole field out of distance. --L'Estrange.

Note: In trotting matches under the rules of the American Association, the distance varies with the conditions of the race, being 80 yards in races of mile heats, best two in three, and 150 yards in races of two-mile heats. At that distance from the winning post is placed the distance post. If any horse has not reached this distance post before the first horse in that heat has reached the winning post, such horse is distanced, and disqualified for running again during that race.

4. (Mil.) Relative space, between troops in ranks, measured from front to rear; -- contrasted with interval, which is measured from right to left. "Distance between companies in close column is twelve yards." --Farrow.

5. Space between two antagonists in fencing. --Shak.

6. (Painting) The part of a picture which contains the representation of those objects which are the farthest away, esp. in a landscape.

Note: In a picture, the

Middle distance is the central portion between the foreground and the distance or the extreme distance. In a perspective drawing, the

Point of distance is the point where the visual rays meet.

7. Ideal disjunction; discrepancy; contrariety. --Locke.

8. Length or interval of time; period, past or future, between two eras or events.

Ten years' distance between one and the other. --Prior.

The writings of Euclid at the distance of two thousand years. --Playfair.

9. The remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence, respect; ceremoniousness.

I hope your modesty Will know what distance to the crown is due. --Dryden.

'T is by respect and distance that authority is upheld. --Atterbury.

10. A withholding of intimacy; alienation; coldness; disagreement; variance; restraint; reserve.

Setting them [factions] at distance, or at least distrust amongst themselves. --Bacon.

On the part of Heaven, Now alienated, distance and distaste. --Milton.

11. Remoteness in succession or relation; as, the distance between a descendant and his ancestor.

12. (Mus.) The interval between two notes; as, the distance of a fourth or seventh.

Angular distance, the distance made at the eye by lines drawn from the eye to two objects.

Lunar distance. See under Lunar.

North polar distance (Astron.), the distance on the heavens of a heavenly body from the north pole. It is the complement of the declination.

Zenith distance (Astron.), the arc on the heavens from a heavenly body to the zenith of the observer. It is the complement of the altitude.

To keep one's distance, to stand aloof; to refrain from familiarity.

If a man makes keep my distance, the comfort is he keeps his at the same time. --Swift.

Interval

In"ter*val\, n. [L. intervallum; inter between + vallum a wall: cf. F. intervalle. See Wall.]

1. A space between things; a void space intervening between any two objects; as, an interval between two houses or hills.

'Twixt host and host but narrow space was left, A dreadful interval. --Milton.

2. Space of time between any two points or events; as, the interval between the death of Charles I. of England, and the accession of Charles II.

3. A brief space of time between the recurrence of similar conditions or states; as, the interval between paroxysms of pain; intervals of sanity or delirium.

4. (Mus.) Difference in pitch between any two tones.

At intervals, coming or happening with intervals between; now and then. "And Miriam watch'd and dozed at intervals." --Tennyson.

Augmented interval (Mus.), an interval increased by half a step or half a tone.

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