interrupt

[v. in-tuh-ruhpt; n. in-tuh-ruhpt] /v. ˌɪn təˈrʌpt; n. ˈɪn təˌrʌpt/
verb (used with object)
1.
to cause or make a break in the continuity or uniformity of (a course, process, condition, etc.).
2.
to break off or cause to cease, as in the middle of something:
He interrupted his work to answer the bell.
3.
to stop (a person) in the midst of doing or saying something, especially by an interjected remark:
May I interrupt you to comment on your last remark?
verb (used without object)
4.
to cause a break or discontinuance; interfere with action or speech, especially by interjecting a remark:
Please don't interrupt.
noun
5.
Computers. a hardware signal that breaks the flow of program execution and transfers control to a predetermined storage location so that another procedure can be followed or a new operation carried out.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English interrupten < Latin interruptus past participle of interrumpere to break apart, equivalent to inter- inter- + rup-, variant stem of rumpere to burst + -tus past participle suffix; see rupture
Related forms
interruptedly, adverb
interruptedness, noun
interruptible, adjective
interruptive, adjective
noninterruptible, adjective
noninterruptive, adjective
reinterrupt, verb
self-interrupting, adjective
uninterruptible, adjective
uninterrupting, adjective
uninterruptive, adjective
Synonyms
1, 3. intermit. Interrupt, discontinue, suspend imply breaking off something temporarily or permanently. Interrupt may have either meaning: to interrupt a meeting. To discontinue is to stop or leave off, often permanently: to discontinue a building program. To suspend is to break off relations, operations, proceedings, privileges, etc., for a certain period of time, usually with the stipulation that they will be resumed at a stated time: to suspend operations during a strike.
Antonyms
1, 2. continue.
British Dictionary definitions for interrupts

interrupt

/ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/
verb
1.
to break the continuity of (an action, event, etc) or hinder (a person) by intrusion
2.
(transitive) to cease to perform (some action)
3.
(transitive) to obstruct (a view)
4.
to prevent or disturb (a conversation, discussion, etc) by questions, interjections, or comment
noun
5.
the signal to initiate the stopping of the running of one computer program in order to run another, after which the running of the original program is usually continued
Derived Forms
interruptible, adjective
interruptive, adjective
interruptively, adverb
Word Origin
C15: from Latin interrumpere, from inter- + rumpere to break
Word Origin and History for interrupts

interrupt

v.

c.1400, "to interfere with a legal right," from Latin interruptus, past participle of interrumpere "break apart, break off," from inter- "between" (see inter-) + rumpere "to break" (see rupture (n.), and compare corrupt). Meaning "to break into (a speech, etc.)" is early 15c. Related: Interrupted; interrupting.

n.

1957, originally in computers, from interupt (v.).

interrupts in Technology


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