Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Interval?

\In"ter*val\, n. [L. intervallum; inter between + vallum a wall: cf. F. intervalle. See {Wall}.] 1. A space between things; a void space intervening between any two objects; as, an interval between two houses or hills. 'Twixt host and host but narrow space was left, A dreadful interval. --Milton. 2. Space of time between any two points or events; as, the interval between the death of Charles I. of England, and the accession of Charles II. 3. A brief space of time between the recurrence of similar conditions or states; as, the interval between paroxysms of pain; intervals of sanity or delirium. 4. (Mus.) Difference in pitch between any two tones. {At intervals}, coming or happening with intervals between; now and then. ``And Miriam watch'd and dozed at intervals.'' --Tennyson. {Augmented interval} (Mus.), an interval increased by half a step or half a tone.
\In"ter*val\, Intervale \In"ter*vale\, n. A tract of low ground between hills, or along the banks of a stream, usually alluvial land, enriched by the overflowings of the river, or by fertilizing deposits of earth from the adjacent hills. Cf. {Bottom}, n., 7. [Local, U. S.] The woody intervale just beyond the marshy land. --The Century.