interference

1. The coming together of waves in various media in such a way that the crests of one series correspond to the hollows of the other, the two thus neutralizing each other; or so that the crests of the two series correspond, thus increasing the excursions of the waves. 2. Collision within the myocardium of two waves of excitation at the junction of territories controlled by each, as is seen in AV dissociation. 3. Also, in AV dissociation, the disturbance of the regular rhythm of the ventricles by a conducted impulse from the atria, e.g., by a ventricular capture (i. beat). 4. The condition in which infection of a cell by one virus prevents superinfection by another virus, or in which superinfection prevents effects which would result from infection by either virus alone, even though both viruses persist. [inter- + L. ferio, to strike]

- bacterial i. the condition in which colonization by one bacterial strain prevents colonization by another strain.

- cuspal i. SYN: deflective occlusal contact.

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in·ter·fer·ence -'fir-ən(t)s n

1) the act or process of interfering

2) the mutual effect on meeting of two wave trains (as of light or sound) that constitutes alternating areas of increased and decreased amplitude (as light and dark lines or louder and softer sound)

3) partial or complete inhibition or sometimes facilitation of other genetic crossovers in the vicinity of a chromosomal locus where a preceding crossover has occurred

4) the disturbing effect of new learning on the performance of previously learned behavior with which it is inconsistent compare NEGATIVE TRANSFER

5) prevention of typical growth and development of a virus in a suitable host by the presence of another virus in the same host individual see INTERFERENCE PHENOMENON

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in·ter·fer·ence (in″tər-fērґəns) [inter- + L. ferire to strike] 1. opposition to or hampering of an action or procedure. 2. the process in which two or more light, sound, or electromagnetic waves of the same frequency combine to reinforce or cancel each other, the amplitude of the resulting wave being equal to the sum of the amplitudes of the combining waves. 3. impairment of cardiac impulse conduction due to refractoriness of the tissue where the refractoriness is a physiological response to passage of a preceding impulse. See also interference dissociation, under dissociation. 4. any premature contact point along the occlusal surface of the teeth that prevents maximum contact, function, and proper alignment in full occlusion. See also deflective occlusal contact, under contact.