interrupt
to break into or stop the flow of something
Roots
- inter-: between or among
- rump / rupt: break, burst, or break apart
Other words with the rump / rupt root
- abrupt: sudden or unexpectedly broken off
- corrupt: dishonest or spoiled by moral damage
- corruption: dishonesty or moral decay in a system
- disrupt: to interrupt or throw into disorder
- disruption: break in order or normal flow
- erupt: to burst out suddenly
- eruption: a sudden bursting out
Inter gives between; rupt gives break. To interrupt is to break into the middle of a flow.
Please do not interrupt while she is explaining the problem.
Interrupt is a clean two-root word. Inter- puts you in the middle; rupt breaks the flow. That is why an interruption feels different from ordinary speech: something was moving, and a break entered between its parts.