interjection
(ɪntəˈdʒɛkʃən)
[a. F. interjection (13–14th c. in Hatz.–Darm.), ad. L. interjectiōn-em, n. of action from interjicĕre: see prec.]
1. The utterance of ejaculations expressive of emotion; an ejaculation or exclamation.
| c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode iii. vii. (1869) 139 This interieccioun sorweful wer-inne is no thing that lusteth. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 332 Hee beginneth his letter with an interjection of joye, or a kinde of speache importing his inwarde gladnesse. 1626 Bacon Sylva §721 A Continued Expulsion of the Breath, with the loud Noise, which maketh the Interjection of Laughing. 1816 J. Scott Vis. Paris Pref. (ed. 5) 23 People have exclaimed their joy and astonishment so often, that, being no longer able to keep up the proper climax of interjection, they [etc.]. 1850 Thackeray Mr. & Mrs. Berry ii, A!—note of interjection. |
2. Gram. A natural ejaculation expressive of some feeling or emotion, used or viewed as a Part of Speech.
So called because, when so used, it is interjected between sentences, clauses, or words, mostly without grammatical connexion. But the interjection O is often construed with the vocative or nominative of address, and alas, hey, hurrah, woe, etc. with the prep. for or to and an object. Beside the simple interjections, as ah!, oh!, ha!, ho!, hulloa!, psha!, whew!, and the like, substantives, adjectives, adverbs, and short phrases or sentences are often used interjectionally; e.g. marry!, fiddlesticks!, fiddle-de-dee!, the devil!, O dear!, dear me!, well, well!, Gad's 'ooks!, God ha' mercy!, bless my soul!
| 1530 Palsgr. 149 Interjection be suche as serve to expresse the passyons and the affections of the mynde. 1599 Shakes. Much Ado iv. i. 22 How now! interiections? why then, some be of laughing, as ha, ha, he. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 400 ¶4 Much Care and Concern for the Lady's Welfare..expressed by an Interjection, an Ah, or an Oh, at some little Hazard in moving or making a Step. 1786–1805 H. Tooke Purley 31 The dominion of speech is erected upon the downfall of Interjections. 1871 Earle Philol. Eng. Tongue §193 The interjection may be defined as a form of speech which is articulate and symbolic but not grammatical. |
† b. Something that has the effect of an interjection, in expressing emotion. Obs.
| 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. iii. xv. 85 He rent his garments, which was the interjection of the Country. |
3. The action of interjecting or interposing anything; also, something interposed.
| 1598 Florio, Intergettione, a putting betweene, an Interiection. 1643 Herle Answ. Ferne 33 That third estate of the Peeres..becomes the best conjunction by being an interjection betweene them. 1658 Phillips, Interjection, a casting between. 1881 Pres. Arthur Message to Congress 6 Dec. 5/8 The interjection of any foreign guarantee might be regarded as a superfluous and unfriendly act. |
b. An interpolated remark or exclamation; an interruption.
| 1896 Daily News 31 Mar. 7/4 Prisoner. This is too bad—flesh and blood can't stand it. Mr. de R―. You don't do yourself any good by these interjections. |
† 4. Rhet. = parenthesis. Obs.
| 1678 Phillips (ed. 4), Interjection,..also a figure in Rhetorick and Grammar, being the same with Parenthesis, and otherwise called Interruption. |