intercalary

adjective

in·​ter·​ca·​la·​ry in-ˈtər-kə-ˌler-ē How to pronounce intercalary (audio)
ˌin-tər-ˈka-lə-rē
1
a
: inserted in a calendar
an intercalary day
b
of a year : containing an intercalary period (such as a day or month)
2
: inserted between other things or parts : interpolated

Examples of intercalary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Grass species, on the other hand, have an intercalary meristem, a growing point that produces new growth from the bottom of the plant. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 17 May 2024 This is technically called an intercalary day, one that is added to the calendar to sync it up. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 23 Feb. 2024 Technically, February 29 is called an intercalary day, according to Timeanddate. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Throughout the novel, we’re subjected to intercalary chapters about Alice and a menagerie of Vaudeville freaks who inhabit her psychotic hallucinations. Ron Charles, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2022 The reflection between Sarat's private ordeal and the country's vast, ongoing calamity is sustained by a series of intercalary chapters: excerpts from history books, news reports, memoirs and speeches. The Washington Post, OregonLive.com, 30 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intercalary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin intercalārius, from intercalāre "to intercalate" + -ārius -ary entry 2

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of intercalary was in 1614

Dictionary Entries Near intercalary

Cite this Entry

“Intercalary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intercalary. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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