hiatus

hi·a·tus

noun \hī-ˈā-təs\

Definition of HIATUS

1

a : a break in or as if in a material object : gap <the hiatus between the theory and the practice of the party — J. G. Colton> b : a gap or passage in an anatomical part or organ

2

a : an interruption in time or continuity : break; especially : a period when something (as a program or activity) is suspended or interrupted <after a 5-year hiatus from writing> b : the occurrence of two vowel sounds without pause or intervening consonantal sound

Examples of HIATUS

1. The band is making an album again after a five-year hiatus.
2. <steam was rising from an hiatus in the ground>

Origin of HIATUS

Latin, from hiare to yawn — more at yawn

First Known Use: 1563

Related to HIATUS

Synonyms: breach, break, discontinuity, gulf, gap, hole, interstice, interval, opening, rent, rift, separation, void

Antonyms: continuation, continuity

Related Words: chink, cleft, crack, cranny, crevice, fissure; notch, slit, slot, split; interspace, pore; abyss, aperture, cavity, chasm, gape, orifice; fracture, rupture, severance, sundering

Near Antonyms: completeness, fullness

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with HIATUS

afflatus, meatus