hi·a·tus (h - t s)n. pl. hi·a·tus·es or hiatus 1. A gap or interruption in space, time, or continuity; a break: "We are likely to be disconcerted by . . . hiatuses of thought" Edmund Wilson. 2. Linguistics A slight pause that occurs when two immediately adjacent vowels in consecutive syllables are pronounced, as in reality and naive. 3. Anatomy A separation, aperture, fissure, or short passage in an organ or body part.
[Latin hi tus, from past participle of hi re, to gape.]
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hiatus [hie-ay-tuss] Noun pl -tuses or -tus a pause or an interruption in continuity: diplomatic relations restored after a four-year hiatus [Latin: gap, cleft]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | hiatus - an interruption in the intensity or amount of somethingbreak, interruption - some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity; "the telephone is an annoying interruption"; "there was a break in the action when a player was hurt" defervescence - abatement of a fever as indicated by a reduction in body temperature remission, subsidence, remittal - an abatement in intensity or degree (as in the manifestations of a disease); "his cancer is in remission" | | 2. | hiatus - a missing piece (as a gap in a manuscript)piece - an artistic or literary composition; "he wrote an interesting piece on Iran"; "the children acted out a comic piece to amuse the guests" | | 3. | hiatus - a natural opening or perforation through a bone or a membranous structureforamen magnum - the large opening at the base of the cranium through which the spinal cord passes opening, gap - an open or empty space in or between things; "there was a small opening between the trees"; "the explosion made a gap in the wall" |
hiatus noun pause, break, interval, space, gap, breach, blank, lapse, interruption, respite, chasm, discontinuity, lacuna, entr'acte
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