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
interamnian
Lying between rivers, like Mesopotamia; enclosed by rivers.
interannual
interatrial (adjective)
Located or situated between the atria (chambers) of the heart.
interborough
interbreed
intercalary
intercalate
intercalation
intercavernous
Between the cavernous sinuses; as, the intercavernous sinuses connecting the cavernous sinuses at the base of the brain.
intercede (verb), intercedes; interceded; interceding
1. To plead with someone in authority on behalf of somebody else; especially, a person who is to be punished for something: James spoke up for his friend Sam and interceded in the dispute when Sam was being blamed for stealing the watch, which he didn't.
2. To speak in support of someone involved in a dispute: Brad interceded in the argument between his mother and sister saying that he was responsible for breaking the vase, not his sister Mary.
3. To attempt to settle or to reconcile a disagreement between other people; to mediate: The negotiator was called upon to intercede when the two boys in school had a bad dispute about mobbing in the classroom.
To plead for a friend that he or she be allowed to do something.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

intercellular
intercept (verb), intercepts; intercepted; intercepting
1. To take, to seize, or to stop on the way.
2. To interrupt, to hinder, or to prevent; "The secret war message was intercepted and decoded, removing the element of surprise from the attack."
intercepted (adjective), more intercepted, most intercepted
intercepter, interceptor (s) (noun); intercepters, interceptors (pl)
interception (s) (noun), interceptions (pl)

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-.