different between intermit vs discontinue

English

Etymology

From Latin intermittere, from inter- + mittere.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?nt??m?t/
  • (UK)
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?nt??m?t/

Verb

intermit (third-person singular simple present intermits, present participle intermitting, simple past and past participle intermitted)

1. (transitive, now rare) To interrupt, to stop or cease temporarily or periodically; to suspend.

   • Idleness […] of body is nothing but a kind of of benumbing laziness, intermitting exercise, which, if we may believe Fernelius, “[…] makes them unapt to do anything whatever.”

Derived terms

• intermittence
• intermittency
• intermittent

Related terms

• intermission
• mission

English

Etymology

From Old French descontinuer.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /d?sk?n?t?nju/

Verb

discontinue (third-person singular simple present discontinues, present participle discontinuing, simple past and past participle discontinued)

1. To interrupt the continuance of; to put an end to, especially as regards commercial productions; to stop producing, making, or supplying something.

   They plan to discontinue that design.

   • 1603, Samuel Daniel, A Defence of Rime

     Taught the Greek tongue, discontinued before in these parts the space of seven hundred years.

   • 1669, William Holder, Elements of Speech

     They modify and discriminate the voice, without appearing to discontinue it.

Synonyms

• terminate
• break off

Antonyms

• continue

Translations

French

Adjective

discontinue

1. feminine singular of discontinu

Italian

Adjective

discontinue

1. feminine plural of discontinuo