Etymology Map
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Interval

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an intervening time or space

Where does the word "interval" come from? It comes from Latin intervallum, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
intervallum
Latin · ancient
"space between ramparts"
'inter', between, plus 'vallum', rampart
2
Stage 2 of 3
entreval
Old French · medieval
"interval"
Roman soldiers used 'intervallum' for the space between rampart and barracks
3
Stage 3 of 3
interval
English · 1300s
"gap"
theatre 'intervals' date from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Interval’s story begins in Latin: intervallum meant “space between ramparts.” 'inter', between, plus 'vallum', rampart. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as entreval. Roman soldiers used 'intervallum' for the space between rampart and barracks. It reached English by 1300s as interval. Theatre 'intervals' date from the 1900s. Today, interval means an intervening time or space.