n.
Pronunciation: ˌ in-t ə r- ' sti-sh ə l
Function: adjective
Date: 1646
1 : relating to or situated in the interstices
2 a : situated within but not restricted to or characteristic of a particular organ or tissue ― used especially of fibrous tissue b : affecting the interstitial tissues of an organ or part
3 : being or relating to a crystalline compound in which usually small atoms or ions of a nonmetal occupy holes between the larger metal atoms or ions in the crystal lattice
– in · ter · sti · tial · ly \ -sh ə -l ē \ adverb