intermediates
Steps between extremes
Intermediates are things that fall between two points—neither beginning nor end, neither basic nor advanced.
In chemistry, intermediates are compounds formed during a reaction before the final product emerges.
In education or sports, intermediates occupy the middle skill level: The ski slope was rated for intermediates.
The verb intermediate means to act as a go-between, though mediate is more common.
Chemicals from bodily processes
- precursorsThings preceding others
- catalystsReaction accelerators
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- substratesUnderlying supporting materials
reagents · byproducts · compounds · derivatives · synthesis · reactions · pathways · glycolysis
Intermediaries connecting separate parties
- brokersTransaction intermediaries
- liaisonsContacts bridging organizations
- negotiatorsThose who arrange agreements
- facilitatorsThose who aid progress
middlemen · arbitrators · diplomats · peacemakers · conciliators · third-party · neutral · bridging
Distinct periods or platforms
- phasesDistinct periods in sequence
- stepsSequential actions in process
- waypointsIntermediate navigation targets
- milestonesNotable points of progress
midpoints · passages · progressions · thresholds · bridges · links · connectors · segues
At earliest developmental stage
- larvalOf early insect stages
- pupalOf metamorphic dormancy
- juvenileYoung person or animal
- adolescentPerson in puberty
immature · germinal · nascent · emerging · maturing · differentiating · evolving · morphing
Skilled performance level
- competenceAdequate ability to function
- plateauFlat highland area
- benchmarkStandard for comparison
- progressionSequential forward movement
advancement · practitioner · amateur · hobbyist · learner · developing · improving · transitioning
metabolites
Chemicals from bodily processes
- precursorsThings preceding others
- catalystsReaction accelerators
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
substrates · reagents · byproducts · compounds · derivatives · synthesis · reactions · pathways · glycolysis · oxidation
go-betweens
Intermediaries connecting separate parties
- brokersTransaction intermediaries
- liaisonsContacts bridging organizations
- negotiatorsThose who arrange agreements
facilitators · middlemen · arbitrators · diplomats · peacemakers · conciliators · third-party · neutral · bridging · connecting
stages
Distinct periods or platforms
- phasesDistinct periods in sequence
- stepsSequential actions in process
- waypointsIntermediate navigation targets
milestones · midpoints · passages · progressions · thresholds · bridges · links · connectors · segues · intervals
embryonic
At earliest developmental stage
adolescent · immature · germinal · nascent · emerging · maturing · differentiating · evolving · morphing · transitional
proficiency
Skilled performance level
- competenceAdequate ability to function
- plateauFlat highland area
- benchmarkStandard for comparison
progression · advancement · practitioner · amateur · hobbyist · learner · developing · improving · transitioning · leveling
- kineticsreaction rate, activation energy, reaction rates, second order, catalysis
- racing tiresslicks, racing slicks, wet tires, wets, rain tires
- spiritual practitionersmeditators, practitioners, devotees, contemplatives, monastics
- petroleumcrude oil, crude, petroleum, oil wells, oil fields
- language learnersbeginner, beginners, advanced learner, advanced learners, adult learners
- chemical reactionscondensation, combustion, oxidation, hydrolysis, oxidation-reduction
- intermediate schoolSchool between elementary and high
- intermediate levelSkill stage between basic and advanced
- intermediate hostsOrganisms harboring developing parasites
- intermediate trailMid-level ski path
- intermediate educationSchooling between primary and secondary