hiatus
hiatus definition
hia·tus (hī āt′əs)
noun pl. hiatuses -·tuses or hiatus -·tus
- a break where a part is missing or lost, as in a manuscript; gap in a sequence; lacuna
- any gap or interruption, as in continuity or time
- Phonet. a slight pause in pronunciation between two successive vowels in adjacent words or syllables, as between the sounds represented by the successive e's in he entered and reenter
Etymology: L, pp. of hiare, to gape < IE base *ĝhē-, ĝhēi- > gap, gasp
Related Forms:
- hiatal hia′·tal adjective
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