in|tern

in|tern¹ «ihn TURN», verb, noun.

–v.t.

to confine within the limits of a country or place; force to stay in a certain place. Soldiers or ships who enter a neutral country or its ports in war are interned there until the war is over.

–n.

a person who is interned, such as an enemy alien during wartime; internee.

╂[< French interner < Middle French interne; see etym. under intern³ (Cf. ↑intern)]

in|tern² «IHN turn», noun, verb.

–n.

1. a doctor acting as an assistant and undergoing training in a hospital. After a student graduates from medical school, he is usually an intern for a year before he starts his own practice.

2. a student in a professional field who receives in-service training under experienced supervision, such as a student teacher.

3. an unpaid helper or very low wage worker in a temporary assignment, usu. working to gain professional experience.

4. an inmate. Also, interne.

–v.i.

to be an intern.

╂[American English < French interne, adjective Middle French; see etym. under intern³ (Cf. ↑intern)]

in|tern³ «ihn TURN», adjective.

Archaic. internal.

╂[< Middle French interne, learned borrowing from Latin internus internal]