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
intermediation
intermediator
intermedio-lateral, intermediolateral
Both intermediate and lateral; applied specifically to the tract of nerve cells that constitutes the lateral grey column of the spinal cord.
interment (s) (noun), interments (pl)
The act or ritual of interring or burying in the ground or in a tomb: The interment was planned for a Saturday when all of the family members could be there for the last farewell.
intermezzo
1. A short dramatic, musical, or other performance, of a light and pleasing character, introduced between the acts of a drama or opera.
2. A short movement serving as a connecting link between the main divisions (in the middle) of a large musical work, instrumental or vocal; sometimes used for an independent piece of similar character.
interminable (adjective), more interminable, most interminable
Characterizing something as being without end; endless: Mr. Smith, the politician, made many feel that it was the most interminable meeting that they had ever attended because he went on and on until many in the audience could hardly stay awake.
Descriptive of being endless or having no limit.
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A reference to seeming to last forever with chatter.
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interminably (adverb), more interminably, most interminably
Regarding how something goes on unceasingly, tediously, or seemingly endlessly: The interminably long and boring meeting finally concluded just before lunch.
intermingle
intermission (in" tuhr MISH uhn) (s) (noun), intermissions (pl)
1. The act of disrupting an activity temporarily: In many sports activities, the intermission is often called "half time", which is a chance for the players to get a little rest and to get ready for the next half of the game.
2. A time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something: Tom's professor announced a brief intermission during her lecture on astrophysics because the equipment she was using was malfunctioning.
3. A respite or recess: The judge ordered an intermission during the trial to allow the witness, who was upset, to calm down and relax before continuing her testimony.
4. The period between the acts of a theatrical or musical performance: During the intermission at the theater, Linda's parents went backstage to talk with the actors because they had worked together with each other many years before.
intermit, intermits, intermitted, intermitting
1. To cease an action temporarily.
2. To suspend or cause to suspend an activity temporarily or periodically.
intermittence
intermittent (adjective), more intermittent, most intermittent
1. Stopping and starting at regular intervals: Trains, busses, and other means of transportation have intermittent schedules so people can plan their trips better or get to their places of work at a set time more efficiently.
2. Stopping and starting at irregular times: Rain showers usually fall at intermittent intervals making it difficult to plan picnics out in the park in the summer.
3. Alternately containing and lowering of water: There are many examples of intermittent lakes; especially, in regions where there are unpredictable amounts of rain per year that may cause the lakes to rise when there is a lot of rain or to become lower when there is a drought.
Starting and stopping periodically or alternating.
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intermittent claudication
1. A cramping pain, as a result of exercise and relieved by rest, that is caused by an inadequate blood supply to the affected muscles, usually the calves.
2. Pathological pain and cramp in the calf muscles which is aggravated by walking and caused by an insufficient supply of blood.
3. Pain in the leg muscles which occurs during exercise and is relieved by rest.

Intermittent, means coming and going at intervals, and claudication refers to limping.

This term was originally described in horses which went lame with exercise and then recovered with rest.

The Roman Emperor Claudius, who ruled from A.D. 41 to 54, is said to have received this name because he limped, presumably from a birth defect; and he also stammered.

intermittent claudication of the cauda equina, pseudoclaudication syndrome
Pain and paresthesia (abnormal skin sensations), often succeeded by sensory loss, motor weakness, and loss of the reflexes, arising in the motor and sensory distribution of lumbar or sacral roots after the patient has walked some distance.

The neurologic signs, which are sometimes minimal but are accentuated by walking, are those of a cauda equina syndrome or a dull pain in the lower back and upper buttock region, analgesia in the buttocks, genitalia (or thigh), accompanied by a disturbance of bowel and bladder function.

intermittent spinal claudication
Intermittent symptoms of spinal cord dysfunction; such as, weakness, paresthesiae (skin sensations, such as burning, itching, or tingling), and sphincter (circular band of muscle that surrounds an opening or passage in the body) disturbance, bought on by physical exertion.

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-.