hiatus

The definition of hiatus is a gap, break or interruption.

(noun)

An example of hiatus is the time between a television show's seasons.

See hiatus in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. hiatuses or hiatus

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

Origin: L, pp. of hiare, to gape < IE base *ĝhē-, ĝhēi- > gap, gasp

Related Forms:

See hiatus in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. hi·a·tus·es or hiatus

A gap or interruption in space, time, or continuity; a break: “We are likely to be disconcerted by . . . hiatuses of thought” (Edmund Wilson).
Linguistics A slight pause that occurs when two immediately adjacent vowels in consecutive syllables are pronounced, as in reality and naive.
Anatomy A separation, aperture, fissure, or short passage in an organ or body part.

Origin:

Origin: Latin hiātus

Origin: , from

Origin: past participle of hiāre, to gape

Related Forms: