inter-, intero-
(Latin: between; among, mutually, together; on the inside, internal)
Although abstracted from the many compounds in which it entered English, the form inter- was not generally considered a living prefix in English until the 1400s.
During the later period of Middle English many words borrowed in the Old and Middle French forms entre-, enter- began to be consciously respelled with Latin inter-; although vestiges of the older French borrowings are found in entertain and enterprise.
The living prefix inter- is now freely added to almost any element in English to create such formations with the meaning of "between" and "among". The words formed by intra- are closely related to this inter- prefix; in fact, they both apparently came from the same Latin source.
intermarriage
intermarry
intermaxillary
intermeddle
intermeddler
intermeddlesome
intermediary
1. Acting or of the nature of action between two persons, parties, etc.; serving as a means of interaction; mediatory.
2. Situated or occurring between two things (in space, time, degree, or character); intermediate.
3. One who acts between others; an intermediate agent; a go-between middleman, mediator.
intermediate
1. Coming or occurring between two things, places, etc.; holding the middle place or degree between two extremes; interposed, intervening.
2. In spatial position, situated in the middle place, or between two things or places.
3. Occurring or coming between two points of time or events.
Intermediate technology: (1) a technology that is intermediate between other technologies or represents a transitional stage between them; (2) technology devised for the developing world which is simpler, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly than that of the developed world, and so it is better suited to local resources and knowledge; but which is more efficient or productive than traditional local crafts; the development or advocacy of such technology.
intermediately
intermediation
intermediator
intermedio-lateral, intermediolateral
Both intermediate and lateral; applied specifically to the tract of nerve cells that constitutes the lateral grey column of the spinal cord.
interment
The act or ritual of interring or burying in the ground (or tomb).
intermezzo
1. A short dramatic, musical, or other performance, of a light and pleasing character, introduced between the acts of a drama or opera.
2. A short movement serving as a connecting link between the main divisions (in the middle) of a large musical work, instrumental or vocal; sometimes used for an independent piece of similar character.
interminable
Without end; endless.
Related "together" units:
com-;
greg-;
struct-.
Cross references of word families related directly, or indirectly, to: "internal organs, entrails, inside":
ent-;
enter-;
fistul-;
incret-;
intra-;
splanchn-;
viscer-.
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