Words / C1

int-uh-MIT-uh-nt/ˌɪntəˈmɪtənt/

Intermittent means stopping and starting at intervals: intermittent faults, intermittent cover. Sporadic is the close twin; a night that comes and goes is a rota finding, not “flexibility”.

Meaning

Stopping and starting at intervals; not continuous.

Examples

• “Intermittent cover on the night cell is still a rota hole, not a design pause.”
• “Intermittent night cover is a rota finding, not “flexibility”.”
• “Sporadic is the close twin. Irregular is everyday. Flexibility is a slogan. A gap on the grid is evidence. Staff the night, or close the sitting; do not baptise the gap as culture.”

Good to know

Stopping and starting. Close: sporadic. “Flexibility” ≠ a night hole.

Near in meaning

sporadic, irregular

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