ˌintə(r)ˈmit, usu -id.+V verb
( intermitted ; intermitted ; intermitting ; intermits )
Etymology: Latin intermittere, from inter- + mittere to send — more at smite
transitive verb
1. : to cause to cease for a time or at intervals : discontinue , interrupt , suspend
pray to the gods to intermit the plague — Shakespeare
never intermitted the custom of dressing for dinner
2. : to cause (as a spark) to come and go at intervals
intransitive verb
: to cease at intervals : to be intermittent
a fever that intermitted with great regularity
Synonyms: see defer