interval

Noun

interval (plural intervals)

1. A distance in space.
   • 'Twixt host and host but narrow space was left, / A dreadful interval.1667, John Milton, “Book VI”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished...
   • [M]any attempts were made to prevent the spreading of it [the fire] by pulling down Houses, and making great Intervals, but all in vain, the Fire seizing upon the Timber and Rubbish, and so continuing it set even through those spaces […]1666 September 8, The London Gazette
2. A period of time.
   • the interval between contractions during childbirth
3. The difference (a ratio or logarithmic measure) in pitch between two notes, often referring to those two pitches themselves (otherwise known as a dyad).
4. A connected section of the real line which may be empty or have a length of zero.
5. (India, UK) An intermission.
6. half time, a scheduled intermission between the periods of play.
   • Spain made three substitutions at the interval, sending on former Arsenal captain Fabregas, Chelsea's Juan Mata and Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina for Xavi, David Silva and Casillas.2011 November 12, “International friendly: England 1-0 Spain”, in BBC Sport
7. Either of the two breaks, at lunch and tea, between the three sessions of a day's play.