First Known Use: 1601
Dictionary
intermittent
adjective in·ter·mit·tent \ˌin-tər-ˈmi-tənt\
: starting, stopping, and starting again : not constant or steady
Full Definition of INTERMITTENT
: coming and going at intervals : not continuous <intermittent rain>; also : occasional <intermittent trips abroad>
— in·ter·mit·tent·ly adverb
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Examples of INTERMITTENT
- Decades of intermittent but recurring controversies with imperial authorities, and the lodestar of the glorious Revolution, disposed Americans to continue to believe that representation existed, first and foremost, to protect the rights of their communities against the abuse of executive power. —Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings, 1996
- Bronchodilators continue to play an important role in asthma treatment, especially for people who have relatively mild or intermittent attacks. —Stephen Hoffmann, Harvard Medical School Health Letter, June 1991
- In the intermittent light he could make out the shape of a solitary oak tree, spreading great arms from its short tremendous trunk. —Susan Cooper, The Dark is Rising, (1973) 1999
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Origin of INTERMITTENT
Latin intermittent-, intermittens, present participle of intermittere (see intermit)
Related to INTERMITTENT
- Synonyms
- continual, on-and-off, periodic, periodical, recurrent, recurring
- Antonyms
- constant, continuous, incessant, unceasing
INTERMITTENTLY Defined for Kids
intermittent
adjective in·ter·mit·tent \ˌin-tər-ˈmi-tənt\
Definition of INTERMITTENT for Kids
: starting, stopping, and starting again <intermittent rain>
— in·ter·mit·tent·ly adverb
Medical Dictionary
intermittent
adjective in·ter·mit·tent \ˌint-ər-ˈmit-ənt\
Medical Definition of INTERMITTENT
: coming and going at intervals : not continuous <intermittent fever>
—in·ter·mit·tence \-ən(t)s\ noun
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