interstice

noun

in·ter·stice in-ˈtər-stəs

plural interstices in-ˈtər-stə-ˌsēz -stə-səz

Synonyms of interstice

: a space that intervenes between things

especially : one between closely spaced things

interstices of a wall

: a gap or break in something generally continuous

the interstices of society

passages of genuine literary merit in the interstices of the ludicrous … plots—Joyce Carol Oates

: a short space of time between events

Did you know?

You don't need to read between the lines to understand the history of interstice; its etymology is plain to see. Interstice derives from the Latin interstitium, which is itself formed from the prefix inter-, meaning "between," and -stes, meaning "standing." Interstices are the cracks and crevices of life, and the word is often used for both the literal and figurative gaps of the world. In modern uses, interstice can even refer to gaps in time or to special niches in the larger expanse of something else. Evolutionary biologist Stephen Jay Gould used it, for example, to comment, "Dinosaurs held sway for 100 million years while mammals, all the while, lived as small animals in the interstices of their world."

Examples of interstice in a Sentence

there's an occasional interstice in the tedium, but most of the novel is boring pesky weeds growing in the interstices between the flagstones

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Trauma lingers in the interstices of the everyday, only sometimes announcing itself. —Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Mar. 2022 Like it or not, many people fill in every interstice of their day by whipping out their phone and flicking through feeds. —Mark Van Wye, Forbes, 15 June 2021