The spelling of the word "in interim" may be a bit confusing. The first word, "in", is straightforward and pronounced as "ɪn". However, the second word "interim" has a few tricky letters. The "i" is pronounced as "ɪ", the "nt" is pronounced as a single sound "n̩", and the "erim" is pronounced as "ɛrɪm". Altogether, "in interim" is pronounced as "ɪn ˈɪn.t̬ə.rɪm", and means "in the meantime" or "temporarily".
The phrase "in interim" refers to a transitional or temporary state or period of time. It is often used to describe a situation that occurs between two events, actions, or positions.
Commonly, it indicates a temporary measure or arrangement that is implemented while waiting for a permanent solution or decision to be made. For example, in a business context, when a company is in the process of hiring a new manager, they may appoint an interim manager to assume the role until a suitable candidate is found. This temporary manager would be referred to as the "manager in interim."
Similarly, "in interim" can be used when referring to a period of time between two stages or events. For instance, if a project is being carried out in different phases and there is a gap or pause between those phases, it would be described as the "interim period." During this time, some activities might be put on hold or modified in preparation for the completion of the following phase.
Overall, "in interim" underscores the notion of an intermediate or provisional stage, serving to bridge the gap or address the needs during a situation before a permanent resolution or subsequent event takes place.
The etymology of the term "in interim" can be traced back to Latin. The word "interim" itself is derived from the Latin phrase "in interim", which translates to "meanwhile" or "in the meantime". "Interim" is made up of two Latin words: "inter", meaning "between" or "among", and "im", which is a form of the pronoun "is" or "it". The phrase "in interim" has been preserved in use in English to convey the notion of something happening or being done in the meantime or during an intermediate period.