inter|sec|tion / I ntə r se kʃ ə n/ (intersections ) N‑COUNT An intersection is a place where roads or other lines meet or cross. □ [+ of ] …at the intersection of two main canals. □ …a busy highway intersection. [Also + with ]
inter|sex / I ntə r seks/ ADJ An intersex person has genitals or other sexual characteristics that do not clearly fit the usual definition for a male or female body. □ …the controversy surrounding intersex athletes.
inter|sperse / I ntə r spɜː r s/ (intersperses , interspersing , interspersed ) VERB If you intersperse one group of things with another or among another, you put or include the second things between or among the first things. □ [V n + with ] Originally the intention was to intersperse the historical scenes with modern ones.
inter|spersed / I ntə r spɜː r st/ ADJ If one group of things are interspersed with another or interspersed among another, the second things occur between or among the first things. □ [+ with ] …bursts of gunfire, interspersed with single shots.
inter|state / I ntə r ste I t/ (interstates )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Interstate means between states, especially the states of the United States. □ …interstate highways.
2 N‑COUNT In the United States, an interstate is a major road linking states. □ …the southbound lane of Interstate 75.
inter|stel|lar / I ntə r ste lə r / ADJ [ADJ n] Interstellar means between the stars. [FORMAL ] □ …interstellar space.
inter|twine / I ntə r twa I n/ (intertwines , intertwining , intertwined )
1 VERB If two or more things are intertwined or intertwine , they are closely connected with each other in many ways. □ [be V -ed] Their destinies are intertwined. □ [V ] Three major narratives intertwine within Foucault's text, 'Madness and Civilisation'. □ [V n + with ] He intertwines personal reminiscences with the story of British television. □ [V + with ] Her fate intertwined with his. [Also V n]
2 VERB If two things intertwine , they are twisted together or go over and under each other. □ [V ] Trees, undergrowth and creepers intertwined, blocking our way. □ [V -ed] The towels were embroidered with their intertwined initials. [Also V + with ]
in|ter|val / I ntə r v ə l/ (intervals )
1 N‑COUNT An interval between two events or dates is the period of time between them. □ [+ of ] The ferry service has restarted after an interval of 12 years.
2 N‑COUNT An interval during a film, concert, show, or game is a short break between two of the parts. [mainly BRIT ] □ During the interval, wine was served. in AM, usually use intermission
3 PHRASE If something happens at intervals , it happens several times with gaps or pauses in between. □ She woke him for his medicines at intervals throughout the night.
4 PHRASE If things are placed at particular intervals , there are spaces of a particular size between them. □ Several red and white barriers marked the road at intervals of about a mile.
inter|vene / I ntə r viː n/ (intervenes , intervening , intervened )
1 VERB If you intervene in a situation, you become involved in it and try to change it. □ [V ] The situation calmed down when police intervened. □ [V + in ] The Government is doing nothing to intervene in the crisis.
2 VERB If you intervene , you interrupt a conversation in order to add something to it. □ [V ] Hattie intervened and told me to stop it. □ [V with quote] 'I've told you he's not here,' Irena intervened.
3 VERB If an event intervenes , it happens suddenly in a way that stops, delays, or prevents something from happening. □ [V ] The South African mailboat arrived on Friday mornings unless bad weather intervened.
inter|ven|ing / I ntə r viː n I ŋ/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] An intervening period of time is one that separates two events or points in time. □ During those intervening years Bridget had married her husband Robert.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] An intervening object or area comes between two other objects or areas. □ They had scoured the intervening miles of moorland.
inter|ven|tion ◆◇◇ / I ntə r ve nʃ ə n/ (interventions ) N‑VAR Intervention is the act of intervening in a situation. □ [+ in ] …the role of the United States and its intervention in the internal affairs of many countries. □ …military interventions.
inter|ven|tion|ist / I ntə r ve nʃən I st/ (interventionists ) ADJ Interventionist policies are policies which show an organization's desire to become involved in a problem or a crisis which does not concern it directly. [JOURNALISM ] □ …the interventionist industrial policy of the government. ● N‑COUNT An interventionist is someone who supports interventionist policies. [JOURNALISM ]
inter|view ◆◆◇ / I ntə r vjuː/ (interviews , interviewing , interviewed )
1 N‑VAR An interview is a formal meeting at which someone is asked questions in order to find out if they are suitable for a job or a course of study. □ The interview went well. □ Not everyone who writes in can be invited for interview.