What is the difference between remittent and intermittent?

Definitions

remittent

- Describing a fever that fluctuates but does not disappear completely.

- Referring to a disease or illness that has periods of improvement and worsening.

- Talking about a pattern of symptoms that persist over time but with variations in intensity.

intermittent

- Describing something that occurs at irregular intervals or with breaks in between.

- Referring to a pattern of symptoms that appear and disappear over time.

- Talking about a signal or sound that occurs at irregular intervals or with pauses in between.

List of Similarities

• 1. Both words describe patterns that involve fluctuations or breaks.
• 2. Both can be used to describe medical conditions or symptoms.
• 3. Both words can be used to describe weather patterns or natural phenomena.

What is the difference?

• 1. Intensity: Remittent implies a persistent level of symptoms or activity, while intermittent suggests a more sporadic or irregular pattern.
• 2. Duration: Remittent implies a longer-lasting pattern of symptoms or activity, while intermittent may refer to shorter or more irregular occurrences.
• 3. Frequency: Remittent suggests a pattern of fluctuations without complete resolution, while intermittent implies a pattern of stops and starts.
• 4. Medical usage: Remittent is more commonly used in medical contexts to describe specific diseases or symptoms, while intermittent can be used in a wider range of contexts.
• 5. Connotation: Remittent can have a negative connotation due to its association with persistent illness or symptoms, while intermittent can have a neutral or even positive connotation due to its association with breaks or pauses.

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Remember this!

Remittent and intermittent are both words that describe patterns involving fluctuations or breaks. However, remittent implies a persistent level of symptoms or activity that fluctuates but does not disappear completely, while intermittent suggests a more sporadic or irregular pattern with stops and starts. Remittent is more commonly used in medical contexts, while intermittent can be used in a wider range of contexts.