hiatus - Dictionary definition and pronunciation - Yahoo! Education
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hi·a·tus  audio  (h-ts) KEY 

NOUN:
pl. hi·a·tus·es or hiatus
  1. A gap or interruption in space, time, or continuity; a break: "We are likely to be disconcerted by . . . hiatuses of thought" (Edmund Wilson).
  2. Linguistics A slight pause that occurs when two immediately adjacent vowels in consecutive syllables are pronounced, as in reality and naive.
  3. Anatomy A separation, aperture, fissure, or short passage in an organ or body part.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin hitus, from past participle of hire, to gape

OTHER FORMS:
hi·atal  (-tl) KEY (Adjective)


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