intermission
pronunciation
How to pronounce intermission in British English:
UK [ˌɪntəˈmɪʃn]
How to pronounce intermission in American English:
US [ˌɪntərˈmɪʃn]
-
- Noun:
- the act of suspending activity temporarily
- a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
Word Origin
- intermission (n.)
- early 15c., from Latin intermissionem (nominative intermissio) "interruption," noun of action from past participle stem of intermittere "to leave off," from inter- "between" (see inter-) + mittere "let go, send" (see mission).Intermission is used in U.S. for what we call an interval (in a musical or dramatic performance). Under the influence of LOVE OF THE LONG WORD, it is beginning to infiltrate here and should be repelled; our own word does very well. [H.W. Fowler, "Modern English Usage," 1926]
Example
- 1. Let 's just take it as an intermission .
- 2. Let 's ask for her autograph during the intermission .
- 3. The first occurred during the second intermission on the opera 's opening night after burccino has unknowingly aided the villain in his plot to divide the lovers .
- 4. There was no intermission that night .
- 5. Let 's have a drink during the intermission .