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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Interrupt


INTERRUPT', verb transitive [Latin interrumpo, interruptus; inter and rumpo, to break.]

1. To stop or hinder by breaking in upon the course or progress of any thing; to break the current or motion of; as a fall of rain interrupted our journey. There was not a tree nor a bush to interrupt the charge of the enemy. The speaker was interrupted by shouts of acclamation. We apply the word both to the agent and to his progress. We say, an alarm interrupted the speaker, or his arguments or discourse.

2. To divide; to separate; to break continuity or a continued series. The road was on a plain, not interrupted by a single hill, or interrupted here and there by a hill.

INTERRUPT', adjective Broken; containing a chasm.