Part of Speech: Verb, transitive Meaning: To insert into at
various points, especially in a series, as to intercalate
graphics at appropriate points in a book Notes: Today's Good
Word is obviously a perfectly formed Latin borrowing and so has
the usual panoply of derivations: the noun is intercalation and
the adjective, intercalary, as February has an intercalary day
every four years (Leap Year). In Play: Because of this word's
close association with calendars, it is particularly fit to
express the insertion of periods: "Maybe we should intercalate a
few more vacation days into the schedule to reduce the stress
levels of the crew." It is a good word to toss at a verbal bully
who doesn't let any one else speak. "If I could just intercalate
my own opinion," just might suffice to send him or her to a
dictionary, allowing you time to express yourself. Word History:
Today's Good Word is based on the past participle (intercalatus)
of the Latin verb intercalare "to proclaim", made up of inter
"between, among" + cala