interlocution
(-ləʊˈkjuːʃən)
Also 7 -loquution.
[ad. L. interlocūtiōn-em, n. of action f. interloquī, f. inter between + loquī to speak. Cf. F. interlocution (1549 in Godef. Compl.).]
1. The action (on the part of two or more persons) of talking or replying to each other. a. Talk, conversation, discourse, dialogue.
| a 1534 W. de Worde (title), An Interlocucyon, with an Argument betwyxt Man and Woman, whiche of them could prove most excellent. a 1548 Hall Chron. (1809) 291 Al the whole daye was consumed in doutfull communicacion and earnest interlocution. 1638 Brome Antipodes ii. ii. Wks. 1873 III. 260 You hold interloquutions with the Audients. 1681 J. Flavel Meth. Grace iii. 46 That treaty requires interlocution betwixt both the parties concerned in it. 1756–82 J. Warton Ess. Pope II. xii. 340 He is for ever introducing these little interlocutions, which give his satires and epistles an air so lively and dramatic. 1864 W. C. Hazlitt Early Pop. Poetry I. Introd. 14 Productions..for the most part in the form of dialogues or interlocutions. |
† b. An alternate reading or speaking, as in making responses, or reading alternate verses of the Psalms. Obs.
| 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. xxxvii. §1 Rehearsall of them [the Psalms]..done by interlocution, and with a mutuall returne of sentences from side to side. 1643 True Informer 35 Then wee proceed by holy alternatif interlocutions (whereby wee heare our selves speak as well as the Minister) to some effectuall short prayers. |
† c. Manner of intercommunication. Obs.
| 1670 Conclave wherein Clement VIII was elected Pope 12 There arose no small fluctuation and confusion amongst them..from the diversity of their interlocution. |
† 2. The action of replying; a reply, response.
| 1597–8 Bacon Ess., Discourse (Arb.) 22 A good continued speech without a good speech of interlocution sheweth slownesse; and a good reply or second speech, without a good set speech sheweth shallownesse and weaknes. 1661 Grand Debate 83 Indeed Abraham did so, when Gods interlocution answering the first Prayer, called him to vary his request. 1782 Priestley Corrupt. Chr. II. viii. 127 The people..made small interlocutions or responses. |
† 3. The action of interrupting (one's own or another's) speech; an interruption; a parenthetical utterance or section. Obs.
| 1592 tr. Junius on Rev. vii. 1 This whole chapter is a certaine interlocution. 1604 R. Cawdrey Table Alph., Interlocution, interrupting of anothers speech. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. iv. i. §9 Lest their interlocutions should hinder the intireness of our Discourse, take them Verbatim in a Dialogue. 1683 Bp. Patrick Prov. xxix. Argt., A speech broken off by interlocutions, and instilled by parts, penetrates deeper than that which is continued. |
† 4. Law. An intermediate decree before final decision: see interlocutory a. 3.
| 1706 Phillips, Interlocution,..in a Law-sense, the determining some small Matter in a Tryal till such time as the principal Cause be fully known. 1726 Ayliffe Parergon 65 The Judge ought by an Interlocution to enjoin new Answers. Ibid. 149 Some new Incident..may emerge..on which the Judge ought to proceed by Interlocution. |