Word: interregnum (noun)

Associations

"Interregnum" means a period of time when normal government or leadership is absent. It often happens between two rulers or leaders, when there is no official person in charge.

• In history, an interregnum can occur after a king dies and before the next king takes the throne.
• In politics, an interregnum might happen during a transition period between presidents.
• In organizations, an interregnum can be the gap between two CEOs. A well-known synonym is "gap" or "interval," but "interregnum" specifically refers to a break in leadership or authority, not just any time gap.

Substitution

You can replace "interregnum" with:

• "transition period" – focuses on the change from one leader to another.
• "vacancy" – emphasizes that the position is empty.
• "hiatus" – means a break but is more general and less formal. Using "interregnum" often sounds more formal and historical.

Deconstruction

The word "interregnum" comes from Latin:

• "inter-" means "between."
• "regnum" means "reign" or "rule." So, "interregnum" literally means "between reigns," which helps explain why it is used for times without a ruler.

Inquiry

Think about:

• Can you think of a time in history or in your country when there was an interregnum?
• How might an interregnum affect people living during that time?
• Have you experienced a situation in your life or work that felt like an interregnum, a pause between leaders or decisions? How did it feel?