Intermittent

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˌɪntɜː(ɹ)ˈmɪtnÌ©t/
• US IPA: /ˌɪntɚˈmɪtnÌ©t/

Origin

From Middle French intermittent, from Latin intermittens ("sending between"), from prefix inter- ("among, between"), plus present participle mittens ("sending"), from mittere ("to send").

Full definition of intermittent

Adjective

1. Stopping and starting at intervals; coming after a particular time span; not steady or constantThe day was cloudy with intermittent rain.Intermittent bugs are most difficult to reproduce.
2. (specifically, geology, of a body of water) Existing only for certain seasons; that is, being dry for part of the year.The area has many intermittent lakes and streams.

Derived terms

• intermittently

Related terms

• inter
• inter-
• intermittence
• intermittency

Noun

1. (medicine, dated) An intermittent fever or disease.----