intermittent

in·ter·mit·tent

adjective \ˌin-tər-ˈmi-t^ənt\

Definition of INTERMITTENT

: coming and going at intervals : not continuous <intermittent rain>; also : occasional <intermittent trips abroad>

— in·ter·mit·tent·ly adverb

Examples of INTERMITTENT

1. The patient was having intermittent pains in his side.
2. The forecast is for intermittent rain.
3. Decades of intermittent but recurring controversies with imperial authorities, and the lodestar of the glorious Revolution, disposed Americans to continue to believe that representation existed, first and foremost, to protect the rights of their communities against the abuse of executive power. —Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings, 1996
4. Bronchodilators continue to play an important role in asthma treatment, especially for people who have relatively mild or intermittent attacks. —Stephen Hoffmann, Harvard Medical School Health Letter, June 1991
5. In the intermittent light he could make out the shape of a solitary oak tree, spreading great arms from its short tremendous trunk. —Susan Cooper, The Dark is Rising, (1973) 1999

Origin of INTERMITTENT

Latin intermittent-, intermittens, present participle of intermittere (see intermit)

First Known Use: 1601

Related to INTERMITTENT

Synonyms

continual, on-and-off, periodic, periodical, recurrent, recurring

Antonyms

constant, continuous, incessant, unceasing

Related Words

alternate, alternating, cyclic (or cyclical), rhythmic (or rhythmical), seasonal, serial; aperiodic, erratic, fitful, irregular, occasional, spasmodic, sporadic, spotty, unsteady

Near Antonyms

eternal, everlasting, interminable, perpetual

in·ter·mit·tent

adjective \ˌint-ər-ˈmit-^ənt\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of INTERMITTENT

: coming and going at intervals : not continuous <intermittent fever>

—in·ter·mit·tence \-^ən(t)s\ (audio pronunciation) noun