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.
2. Etymology: from Latin inter-, "between" + Middle Dutch loopen "to run"; so, "someone who runs between or intrudes".
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2. An interval in the performance of a play; the pause between the acts, or the means (dramatic or musical) employed to fill this pause: During the first interlude at the theater production, Terry started to talk with his friends.
The brief interlude during the long play featured comical characters juggling balls.
3. Etymology: from Middle Latin interludium, "an interlude"; from Latin inter-, "between" + ludus, "a play". Originally, farcical episodes introduced between acts of mystery plays.
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2. Situated or occurring between two things (in space, time, degree, or character); intermediate.
3. One who acts between others; an intermediate agent; a go-between middleman, mediator.
2. In spatial position, situated in the middle place, or between two things or places.
3. Occurring or coming between two points of time or events.
Intermediate technology: (1) a technology that is intermediate between other technologies or represents a transitional stage between them; (2) technology devised for the developing world which is simpler, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly than that of the developed world, and so it is better suited to local resources and knowledge; but which is more efficient or productive than traditional local crafts; the development or advocacy of such technology.
