A Word A Day : Intermittent





Tuesday, 20th May 2008 : Today's Word is ...


Intermittent



( Adjective )




Pronunciation : ìnter-mítt-nt


Definition:



1. occurring at irregular intervals

2. alternately containing and empty of water

3. stopping and starting at intervals


Etymology:


Origin : 1535–45 - Latin intermittere to leave a space between, drop (for a while), leave off, equiv. to inter- inter- + mittere to send, let go


Synonyms:


fitful, occasional, periodic, periodical, sporadic


Antonyms:


constant, continual, continuing, continuous, perpetual, regular, steady


Contextual Examples:


• The quiet was only disturbed by the intermittent bark of a far-off dog.

• If one laid a finger on the string, the sound answered to the flapping of the runner in a sort of hollow intermittent murmur.

• At any rate, as the dusk came on a slow, intermittent movement upon the sand pits began, a move- ment that seemed to gather force as the stillness of the eve- ning about the cylinder remained unbroken.

• Now, unless the sandbank had been submitted to the intermittent eruption of a geyser, the Governor Higginson had to do neither more nor less than with an aquatic mammal, unknown till then, which threw up from its blow-holes columns of water mixed with air and vapour.


Related Words:



intermittently : Adverb

intermit : Verb

intermittence : Noun

intermittingly : Adverb

intermittor : Noun

intermitter : Noun


Enjoy this list and then get around for preparing your own list of words. There is no better way of boosting your words power. The most effective way to build your vocabulary is described in the page on Word Power. Educational research has discovered that your I.Q. is intimately related to your Word Power. Take a standard Vocabulary test and then an intelligent test, the result in both will be substantially the same. The more extensive your vocabulary, the better your chances of success, other things being equal- success in attaining your educational goals, success in moving ahead in your business or professional career, success in achieving your intellectual potential.

Previous Word| Next Word



A Word A Day Index


From Intermittent to HOME PAGE