Intermittingly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. Happening sporadically or at intervals rather than continuously, this term indicates an occurrence that alternates between existence and absence
2. Characterized by irregular pauses, this word denotes events or actions that do not proceed in a consistent manner and instead feature interruptions
3. Taking place with breaks or pauses at unpredictable times

Etymology: "Intermittingly" is a plain formation: the adjective "intermitting" with the adverb-forming suffix "-ly" attached. The base "intermitting" is the present participle of "intermit," which comes from Latin "intermittere," meaning "to leave off" or "to interrupt," built from "inter-" ("between") and "mittere" ("to send" or "to let go"). So the word's core idea is literally something sent or placed between two stretches of activity, a pause that splits a continuous flow. The stem has a long English history. "Intermit" entered the language as a verb for stopping and starting again, and the participle "intermitting" carried that sense of a process repeatedly broken off. Adding "-ly" turns the quality into a manner of happening: something that occurs in starts and stops rather than without interruption.

Synonyms: sporadically, occasionally, irregularly, periodically, alternately

Antonyms: continuously, constantly, steadily, perpetually, repeatedly