intercalary

adjective

in·​ter·​ca·​la·​ry in-ˈtər-kə-ˌler-ē 

ˌin-tər-ˈka-lə-rē

1

a

: inserted in a calendar

an intercalary day

b

of a year : containing an intercalary period (such as a day or month)

2

: inserted between other things or parts : interpolated

Examples of intercalary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Grass species, on the other hand, have an intercalary meristem, a growing point that produces new growth from the bottom of the plant. —Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 17 May 2024

This is technically called an intercalary day, one that is added to the calendar to sync it up. —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 23 Feb. 2024

Technically, February 29 is called an intercalary day, according to Timeanddate. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024

Throughout the novel, we’re subjected to intercalary chapters about Alice and a menagerie of Vaudeville freaks who inhabit her psychotic hallucinations. —Ron Charles, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2022

The reflection between Sarat's private ordeal and the country's vast, ongoing calamity is sustained by a series of intercalary chapters: excerpts from history books, news reports, memoirs and speeches. —The Washington Post, OregonLive.com, 30 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin intercalārius, from intercalāre "to intercalate" + -ārius -ary entry 2

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for intercalary

• raillery