An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A property of a turbulent dynamical system which is
characterized by chaotic, irregular behavior occurring between quiet (or less irregular) periods. In other words, a → turbulent flow having a large → Reynolds number undergoes a phenomenon in which its turbulent activity at a fixed location stops from time to time and starts again. In fact → turbulence never completely disappears, but it can become extremely weak interrupted irregularly by bursts of strong turbulence (see also → developed turbulence). For intermittent flows → probability density functions are not → Gaussian. Turbulent intermittency plays a fundamental role in fields ranging from combustion physics, chemical engineering, meteorology, to astrophysical systems, more specifically the → interstellar medium.

Etymology (EN): From L. intermittent, pr.p. of intermittere “to leave a space between, drop (for a while), leave off,” from → inter- + mittere “to send, let go.”

Etymology (PE): Raftomând, literally “to go and to stop,” from raft past stem of raftan “to go, walk, proceed” (present stem row-); Mid.Pers. raftan, raw-, Proto-Iranian *rab/f- “to go; to attack”) + -o- euphonic infix + mând past stem of mândan “to remain, stay, relinquish, leave” (Mid.Pers. mândan “to remain, stay,” mân “house, home;” O.Pers. mān- “to remain, dwell;” Av. man- “to remain, dwell; to wait;” cf. Gk. menein “to remain;” L. manere “to stay, remain, abide,” mansio “a staying, a remaining, night quarters, station” (Fr. maison, ménage; E. manor, mansion, permanent; PIE *men- “to remain, wait for”).