C1 adjective Formal

intervoctude

/ˌɪntərˈvɒktjuːd/

Describing a state or quality of silence or pause that occurs between vocalizations or segments of dialogue. It characterizes the meaningful transition or rhythmic gap in speech or musical performance where voices are suspended.

Examples

3 of 5
1

A brief intervoctude moment followed her question as I searched for the right words.

A brief intervoctude moment followed her question as I searched for the right words.

2

The moderator maintained an intervoctude space to ensure both candidates had time to reflect before responding.

The moderator maintained an intervoctude space to ensure both candidates had time to reflect before responding.

3

The intervoctude silence in our phone call made me think the line had gone dead.

The intervoctude silence in our phone call made me think the line had gone dead.

Word Family

Noun
intervoctudeness
Adverb
intervoctudely
Adjective
intervoctude
Related
intervoctudity
💡

Memory Tip

Break it down: 'Inter' (between) + 'Voc' (voice) + 'tude' (state). It's the state of being between voices.

Quick Quiz

The playwright used an ______ gap to emphasize the tension between the two characters.

Correct!

The correct answer is: intervoctude

Examples

1

A brief intervoctude moment followed her question as I searched for the right words.

everyday

A brief intervoctude moment followed her question as I searched for the right words.

2

The moderator maintained an intervoctude space to ensure both candidates had time to reflect before responding.

formal

The moderator maintained an intervoctude space to ensure both candidates had time to reflect before responding.

3

The intervoctude silence in our phone call made me think the line had gone dead.

informal

The intervoctude silence in our phone call made me think the line had gone dead.

4

In structural linguistics, the intervoctude phase is essential for defining the boundaries of phonological units.

academic

In structural linguistics, the intervoctude phase is essential for defining the boundaries of phonological units.

5

We need to manage the intervoctude transitions between the guest speakers to keep the seminar on schedule.

business

We need to manage the intervoctude transitions between the guest speakers to keep the seminar on schedule.

Word Family

Noun
intervoctudeness
Adverb
intervoctudely
Adjective
intervoctude
Related
intervoctudity

Common Collocations

intervoctude silence intervoctude silence
moment of intervoctude moment of intervoctude
intervoctude transition intervoctude transition
prolonged intervoctude prolonged intervoctude
deliberate intervoctude deliberate intervoctude

Common Phrases

an intervoctude bridge

an intervoctude bridge

the intervoctude effect

the intervoctude effect

marked by intervoctude

marked by intervoctude

Often Confused With

intervoctude vs interlude

An interlude is a general break or performance between acts, while intervoctude specifically describes the state of silence between voices.

📝

Usage Notes

This word is most effective when describing technical aspects of linguistics, musicology, or highly stylized literature. It is typically used as an attributive adjective preceding a noun like 'pause' or 'silence'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often try to use it as a noun (e.g., 'the intervoctude lasted five minutes') instead of the correct adjectival form, or confuse it with 'intervocalic', which is specifically about consonant placement between vowels.

💡

Memory Tip

Break it down: 'Inter' (between) + 'Voc' (voice) + 'tude' (state). It's the state of being between voices.

📖

Word Origin

Constructed from the Latin 'inter' (between) and 'vox' (voice), following the morphological pattern of words like 'solitude' or 'quietude'.

Grammar Patterns

attributive adjective usage non-gradable in technical contexts

Quick Quiz

The playwright used an ______ gap to emphasize the tension between the two characters.

Correct!

The correct answer is: intervoctude

Related Words

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

at

A1

A preposition used to indicate a specific point, location, or position in space. It is also used to specify a particular point in time or a certain state or activity.

but

A1

A coordinating conjunction used to connect two statements that contrast with each other. It is used to introduce an added statement that is different from what has already been mentioned.

his

A1

This word is used to show that something belongs to or is associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned. It functions as both a possessive determiner used before a noun and a possessive pronoun used on its own.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free