Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “intermission” come from?

Intermission comes from Latin intermissio, a noun derived from intermitto meaning to interrupt or leave off, from Proto-Italic entermeitō.

intermission (English): A break between two performances or sessions,...

Definitions

  1. A break between two performances or sessions,...

Ancestry of “intermission”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinintermissiointermission, interruption
2Latin-tiō—
3Latindissertātiō—
4Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
5Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
6Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
7Latincalceusshoe
8Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
9Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble

Words derived from “intermission”

  • intermissionless
  • preintermission
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →