intercalate
/ɪnˈtəːkəleɪt
/ /ˌɪntəkəˈleɪt/verb [with object]
1Insert (an intercalary period) in a calendar: a system was introduced to intercalate an extra month in the calendar...
- To keep the lunar calendar synchronized with the solar year, an extra month was intercalated in summer as necessary, in so-called ‘embolismic’ years.
- An extra month is intercalated every three years, just before the month of Nisan.
2Insert (something) between layers in a crystal lattice, geological formation, or other structure: (as adjective intercalated) the interlayer spaces of the graphite host lattice are filled with intercalated layers...
- These four layers are intercalated by thick silty to sandy sequences.
- Brecciated ironstone is derived from the disruption of banded ironstone with which it is intercalated.
- The limestones are intercalated with thin shaly interlayers.
Derivatives
intercalation
/ noun ...- Near the base of the succession there are local intercalations of thin-bedded pink micritic limestone, up to 20 cm thick.
- Most of the unit is composed of intercalations of differently coloured, pervasively foliated, purplish red or bluish grey varicoloured calcareous shales.
- The sediments form both relatively thick formations and thin intercalations between basalts.
Origin
Early 17th century: from Latin intercalat- 'proclaimed as inserted in the calendar', from the verb intercalare, from inter- 'between' + calare 'proclaim solemnly'.