inter-, intero-

(Latin: between; among, mutually, together; on the inside, internal)

Although abstracted from the many compounds in which it entered English, the form inter- was not generally considered a living prefix in English until the 1400s.

During the later period of Middle English many words borrowed in the Old and Middle French forms entre-, enter- began to be consciously respelled with Latin inter-; although vestiges of the older French borrowings are found in entertain and enterprise.

The living prefix inter- is now freely added to almost any element in English to create such formations with the meaning of "between" and "among". The words formed by intra- are closely related to this inter- prefix; in fact, they both apparently came from the same Latin source.

—Based on information from Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
interpret
interpretation
interpreter
interpsychology (s) (noun), interpsychologies (pl)
Interpersonal relationships: "Interpsychology refers to something involving, or occurring among several people or the technique of getting along with others."
interpunction (s) (noun), interpunctions (pl)
The addition of symbols between words or sentences; punctuation mark: Interpunction, including specific signs and markings, are used in writing to give it structure and for better comprehension and understanding for the reader.
interpupillary
1. Occurring between the pupils of the eyes, referring especially to the distance between the pupils.
2. Extending between the pupils of the eyes; also, extending between the centers of a pair of spectacle lenses; such as, interpupillary distance.
interregnum (in tuhr REG nuhm) (s) (noun), interregnums; interregna (pl)
1. The time between the end of one reign and the beginning of the next one: In the adventure story, the rebel tried to gain power in the country's interregnum.
2. A period of time during which there is no government, control, or authority: There was an interregnum, or a time of temporary suspension of government control, when the citizens enjoyed the life of being free to do whatever they wanted to do!
3. A gap in an ongoing activity; interval: An interregnum is the interruption or a pause in any kind of continuous pursuit.
interrobang, interrabang (s) (noun); interrobangs, interrabangs (pl)
1. A punctuation mark in the form of a question mark superimposed on an exclamation point, used to end a simultaneous question and an exclamation: The typesetter at the newspaper had a difficult time creating an interrabang for the lead article.
2. A rarely used, nonstandard English-language punctuation mark (‽) intended to combine the functions of a question mark and an exclamation point: The bang in interrobang is a printer's slang term for an exclamation point.
Interrobang symbol.
3. Etymology: interro(gation point) + bang, "exclamation point (printers' slang)."

The typographical character resembles those marks superimposed one over the other. In informal writing, the same effect is achieved by placing the exclamation point after or before the question mark; for example, "What?!" or "What!?".

A sentence ending with an interrobang either asks a question in an excited manner or expresses excitement or disbelief in the form of a question: "What? You forgot to put gas in the car?!"

interrogate (verb), interrogates; interrogated; interrogating
1. To question someone thoroughly, often in an aggressive or threatening manner and especially as part of a formal investigation; such as, in a police station or courtroom: The police were interrogating the witness about the auto accident.
2. To transmit a request to a computer program, or device, for information: Henry's computer interrogated the printer to determine the status of the printing job.
To formally question to get information.
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To examine by asking questions.
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To examine by asking questions.
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interrogation (s) (noun), interrogations (pl)
1. The act or process of questioning someone closely, often in an aggressive manner: The convicted murderer was under interrogation by the police detectives who were trying to determine what he did with the body of the victim.

Interrogations come in different settings and styles; such as, questionings, investigations, cross-examinations, or just simple inquiries.

2. A transmission of a signal to a computer, or the transmission of a signal to a device or computer program that triggers a response: The computer programmer was developing the interrogations that would provide the signals which would enhance the use of computers for users.
interrogative (adjective) (no comparatives)
1. Having a questionable look or seeming to be unsure what someone has said: Mrs. Richison, the police officer, had an interrogative expression on her face because she had doubts about the response the driver would provide when she asked him about what happened.
2. Consisting of, or used in, asking a question; such as, an interrogative pronoun:

The five interrogative pronouns are "what", "which", "who", "whom", and "whose".

  • What were you doing?
  • Who said we couldn't do it?
  • To whom were you speaking?
  • Which meal did you like the best?
  • Whose purse was left on the bus?
interrogative (s) (noun), interrogatives (pl)
A word, a pronoun, or a phrase in a sentence or expression that is used to form an inquiry: There are some interrogative words that are often used to introduce questions; for example, "who", "what", and "where".

Who is your favorite author?

What did you say?

Where did Sally go?

interrogatively (adverb) (no comparatives)
1. In a questioning manner: Sam looked interrogatively at his wife when he heard a bump outside his house at night.
2. In the form of a query: Sally interrogatively looked at her son as if asking if he had finished his homework.
interrogator
An RFID reader. See Reader for more info.
interrogator (s) (noun), interrogators (pl)
An investigator who is usually harsh or excessively strong: The police interrogator asked Janice a lot of questions for a long time using threats in order to get the information which he thought she knew.

Related "together" units: com-; greg-; struct-.

Cross references of word families related directly, or indirectly, to: "internal organs, entrails, inside": ent-; enter-; fistul-; incret-; intra-; splanchn-; viscer-.