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interval
[ in-ter-vuhl ]
noun
- 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.
Synonyms: , , ,
- 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.
interval
/ ˈɪntəvəl; ˌɪntəˈvælɪk /
noun
- 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
- 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
Derived Forms
- intervallic, adjective
Other Word Forms
- ·ٱ·· ·ٱ·· [in-ter-, val, -ik], adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of interval1
Idioms and Phrases
- 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.
Example Sentences
He went straight to the practice table in the mid-session interval and then produced snooker's moment of perfection in the first frame after the restart.
It's a question I've been returning to at regular intervals over the last few years.
The mid-session interval gave Carter a chance to gather his thoughts, but he then left a chance for O'Sullivan early after the restart.
Sunny intervals and light winds are forecast, although there could be some rain in the morning.
Suzuki has observed Yamamoto’s greater comfort in the major leagues, noticing how Yamamoto has started changing the intervals between pitches and the speed of his delivery.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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