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Glite Dictionary
intercurrent

intercurrent

9.6
Happening during another illness or event and stopping it for a time
  • adjective
  • /ˌɪntərˈkɜːrənt/
  • Specialized
: intercurrente
  • The patient experienced an intercurrent infection that complicated his recovery from surgery.

Diet, drugs, intercurrent infections, These are all things we know to affect microbiomes.

Examples

  • Patients also need to be made aware of sick day rules (advice for patients during intercurrent illness), which may enhance their awareness and fear of hypos.

    Academic text (2012)

  • The argument that RAAS blockers should be stopped in the perioperative setting or in cases of intercurrent illness is controversial.

    Academic text (2016)

  • Nothing intercurrent yet from standing bar to snow bar.

  • This may have weakened the magnitude of the association between job strain and MDD because of the intercurrent changes in work characteristics and mental health.

    Academic text (2012)

  • During her treatment, she faced several intercurrent illnesses that prolonged her hospital stay.

  • The doctor explained that an intercurrent illness can affect the overall management of a chronic condition.

Synonyms

intervening
vsintercurrent
16 4.8

Happening between two events or times

happens during another event while interrupting it rather than between events
interruptive
vsintercurrent
1 6.5

Causing a short break in activity or attention

happens during another event while causing interruption

Surface Forms

intercurrent positive

Morphology

intercurrent = current (semi-transparent) = inter + current

Formed by productive prefixation inter- + current, but the sense 'occurring during and interrupting another event' is a somewhat specialized usage that may not be predictable to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Intercurrent comes from the prefix inter- meaning 'between', as in international, and current from a root meaning 'to run' or 'flow', like a water 'current'. So an intercurrent illness or event is one that 'runs' in the middle of another one — it happens during and can interrupt the original event.