intertemporally

intertemporally is an adverb and adjective relating to the passage or distribution of time, especially across different time periods or across temporal boundaries. The term combines the Latin prefix inter- meaning “between” with temporally, which is derived from “time.” As an adverb it modifies verbs and adjectives, indicating that an action or event occurs across or spanned by multiple time frames.

The word is often used in academic, literary, and philosophical contexts to describe phenomena that cannot be confined to a single temporal moment. Examples include intertemporally linked memory, intertemporally distributed cognition, and intertemporally dynamic systems, where processes unfold or interact over varying timescales. In finance, intertemporally can refer to decisions that consider long‑term and short‑term outcomes, such as intertemporally optimal investment strategies.

Etymologically, intertemporally traces back to the Latin inter (between) and the Greek tempus (time), entering English in the late 19th century. It is similar to terms such as temporally (within a single time frame), intertemporal (pertaining to two or more time periods), and across time.

In stylistic writing, intertemporally is used to emphasize the continuity or connection of processes through time, conveying that the subject has significance beyond an immediate instant. The term is neutral and descriptive, with no inherent judgment about the quality of the temporal relationship.