Miscellaneous Entries.
interregnum. The plural is “interregnums” or (less good) “interregna.”
interrogate is a formal word for “question”; it suggests formal or rigorous questioning.
interrogatee; interrogee. Webster’s Third lists “interrogee” (= someone interrogated), not “interrogatee.” But the OED lists “interrogatee,” not “interrogee.” Since the agent noun is “interrogator,” it makes more sense to prefer the corresponding passive form, “interrogatee.”
interrogative; interrogatory; interrogational. “Interrogative” (= of, relating to, or resembling a question) is the standard term. The others are needless variants.
interrupter; interruptor. The first spelling is preferred.
interstate; intrastate. These adjectives should not be used adverbially, as here: “Organized crime operates interstate [read ‘in interstate commerce’ or ‘across state lines’ or ‘throughout the states’].”
interstitial (= situated within gaps) is the standard spelling. It’s pronounced /in-tuhr-STICH-uhl/. “Intersticial” is a variant form.
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Quotation of the Day: “Language . . . is not a product of logic and science, but of art and taste. It is determined not by reason alone, but by the totality of our judgment, in which many other factors than reason are included.” A.R. Orage, Readers and Writers (1917-1921) 70 (1922; repr. 1969).
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