intervenient, a. (n.)
(ɪntəˈviːnɪənt)
[ad. L. intervenient-em, pr. pple. of intervenīre to intervene.]
1. That intervenes or comes in between; that comes in as something incidental, secondary, or extraneous.
| 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. viii. §2 In the mathematics, that use which is collateral and intervenient is no less worthy than that which is principal and intended. 1612 ― Ess., Judicature (Arb.) 458 When there is matter of Law interuenient in businesse of State. a 1656 Ussher Ann. (1658) 855 Detained with contrary winds, or by some intervenient delay. 1678 Wanley Wond. Lit. World v. i. §97. 468/1 The Protestants, whose patience and perseverance with intervenient crosses abated his edge at last. 1805 Wordsw. Prelude ii. 201, I hasten on to tell How Nature, intervenient till this time And secondary, now at length was sought For her own sake. 1850 Tait's Mag. XVII. 166/2 Grieved that any intervenient sorrow should check the calm current of their bliss. |
2. a. Situated between other things or between points in space; intervening.
| 1626 Bacon Sylva §104 Now there bee interuenient in the Rise of Eight (in Tones) two Beemolls or Halfe notes. 1776 G. Campbell Philos. Rhet. (1801) I. i. v. 110 Some intervenient object. 1807 G. Chalmers Caledonia I. i. iii. 110 A pleasant bank, which gives them an extensive prospect of the frith, and the intervenient country. 1837 Wordsw. Musings near Aquapendente 18 On the horizon's verge, O'er intervenient waste, through glimmering haze. |
b. Occurring between certain points of time or events; happening in or occupying an interval.
| 1618–29 in Rushw. Hist. Coll. (1659) I. 20 The Statute of 1 E. 6. chap. 12. takes away all intervenient Statutes which declared new Treasons. c 1640 J. Smyth Lives Berkeleys (1883) I. 297 Spent many intervenient days in huntings hawkings and other sports of the feild. c 1674 Scotl. Grievances under Lauderdale 3, I need not use any long deduction of the intervenient changes, to lead us unto the present posture of our affairs. 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) IV. xxi. 112 The settlements might be drawn and engrossed in the intervenient time. 1817 Byron Beppo xxiv, Unless within the period intervenient, A well-timed wedding makes the scandal cool. |
3. Intervening in action; intermediary.
| 1651 Hobbes Leviath. i. vi. (1839) 48 If the intervenient appetites, make any action voluntary; then..all intervenient aversions, should make the same action involuntary. 1778 Johnson Let. Dr. Wheeler 2 Nov., He would not want any intervenient solicitation to obtain the kindness of one who loves learning and virtue. 1884 Symonds Shaks. Predecess. ii. 80 An absence of any intervenient medium. |
B. n. One who intervenes, an intervener. rare.
| 1620 Wotton in Reliq. (1672) 505 Silently inferring, that the German Princes were the properest intervenients. 1871 Le Fanu Checkmate II. xxvii. 250 It was only prudent to keep his temper with this lucky intervenient. |