- an interval of time between the close of a sovereign's reign and the accession of their normal or legitimate successor.
- any period during which a state has no ruler or only a temporary executive.
- any period of freedom from the usual authority.
- any pause or interruption in continuity.
- an interval between two reigns, governments, incumbencies, etc
- any period in which a state lacks a ruler, government, etc
- a period of absence of some control, authority, etc
- a gap in a continuity
