interrumpere

Interrumpere is a verb form most commonly encountered in Latin, where it means to interrupt or to break into a sequence, such as a speech, action, or process. In modern Romance languages the spelling differs: Italian uses interrompere (with a different consonant pattern), while Spanish uses interrumpir. The form interrumpere is not standard in contemporary Italian or Spanish, and is typically treated as a Latin spelling or a historical/variant form.

Etymology and meaning. The word derives from the prefix inter- meaning “between” plus rumpere “to break.” The sense shifts from a literal breaking to a figurative interruption, interrupting a continuous flow of speaking, events, or activities.

Usage and scope. In Latin texts, interrumpere covers a range of interruptions, from breaking into a conversation to halting an ongoing action. In the Romance languages, the same underlying concept is expressed by interrompere (Italian) and interrumpir (Spanish), with usage adapted to the grammar of each language. The term can apply to interrupting a person, a statement, a ceremony, or a process, depending on the context.

Variants and related terms. As a Latin infinitive, interrumpere appears in classical and post-classical Latin literature. In modern languages, the corresponding verb forms are interrompere in Italian and interrumpir in Spanish. The related noun forms include interruption or interruption in English, interruzione in Italian, and interrupción in Spanish.

See also. Interruption, Interruzione, Interrupción, Interrompere (Italian verb family).