interleave
Meaning
To arrange things in layers or parts so that one thing is between parts of another.
(computing) To mix or alternate the parts of two or more sequences (especially data sets or files).
Structure
Usage
The baker decided to interleave sheets of parchment paper between the layers of cake batter.
The program can interleave data from multiple sources into a single output stream.
To prevent sticking, interleave the freshly baked cookies with wax paper as you stack them.
Etymology
The word 'interleave' is a modern English formation, combining the Latin prefix 'inter-' with the native English verb 'leave'. The Latin 'inter-' is a common preposition and prefix meaning "between, among", which entered English via French. The verb 'leave', in its older sense of "to let remain, to put", originates from Proto-Germanic laibijaną, meaning "to let stay". The compound 'interleave' thus literally means "to put between", a logic perfectly preserved in its modern usage. It first appeared in the mid-17th century, describing the physical act of inserting pages (like blank leaves) between the printed leaves of a book. This concrete meaning later evolved into the more abstract computational sense of alternating sequences of data.
Analysis
- inter: Latin origin, meaning "between, among". A prefix indicating location or reciprocal action. - leave: From Old English lǣfan "to allow to remain, bequeath", related to the concept of putting or placing something.