Search the Dictionary

A series of six notes, with a semitone between the third and fourth, the other intervals being whole tones.

instrument of music formerly popular in Wales, consisting of a wooden pipe, with holes at intervals. It was so called because the bell at the open end was sometimes made of horn.

An instrument for measuring time, especially the interval of an hour. It consists of a glass vessel having two compartments, from the uppermost of which a quantity of sand, water, or mercury occupies an hour in running through a small aperture unto the lower.

ellence; fit for a model; faultless; as, ideal beauty. Byron. There will always be a wide interval between practical and ideal excellence. Rambler.

Not deferred by an interval of time; present; instant. "Assemble we immediate council." Shak. Death . . . not yet inflicted, as he feared, By some immediate stroke. Milton.

Without interval of time; without delay; promptly; instantly; at once. And Jesus . . . touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matt. viii. 3.

Imperfect flower (Bot.), a flower wanting either stamens or pistils. Gray. -- Imperfect interval (Mus.), one a semitone less than perfect; as, an imperfect fifth. -- Imperfect number (Math.), a number either greater or less than the sum of its several divisors; in the former case, it is called also a defective numbe…

The action of a force during a very small interval of time; the effect of such action; as, the impulse of a sudden blow upon a hard elastic body.

Of or pertaining to the interval or zone along the sea bottom, at the depth of between fifty and one hundred fathoms. E. Forbes.

Without the least delay or interval; at once; immediately. Macaulay.

Coming between the equinoxes. Summer and winter I have called interequinoctial intervals. F. Balfour.

The meantime; time intervening; interval between events, etc. All the interim is Like a phantasms, or a hideous dream. Shak.

The space or interval between two joists. Gwilt.

The lapse or interval of time between two events. [R.] Harvey.

Cessation for a time; an intervening period of time; an interval; a temporary pause; as, to labor without intermission; an intermission of ten minutes. Rest or intermission none I find. Milton.

To cause to cease for a time, or at intervals; to interrupt; to suspend. Pray to the gods to intermit the plague. Shak.

Coming and going at intervals; alternating; recurrent; periodic; as, an intermittent fever. Boyle. Intermittent fever (Med.), a disease with fever which recurs at certain intervals; -- applied particularly to fever and ague. See Fever. -- Intermittent gearing (Mach.), gearing which receives, or produces, intermittent…

With intermissions; at intervals. W. Montagu.

The interval or space between two pilasters. Elmes.

ibrating spring or tuning fork, arranged to make and break a circuit at rapidly recurring intervals, by the action of the current itself.