First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1intercept
verb in·ter·cept \ˌin-tər-ˈsept\
: to stop and take someone or something that is going from one place to another place before that person or thing gets there
sports : to catch or receive (a pass made by an opponent)
Full Definition of INTERCEPT
transitive verb
2
a : to stop, seize, or interrupt in progress or course or before arrival b : to receive (a communication or signal directed elsewhere) usually secretly
3
obsolete : to interrupt communication or connection with
4
: to include (part of a curve, surface, or solid) between two points, curves, or surfaces <the part of a circumference intercepted between two radii>
5
a : to gain possession of (an opponent's pass) b : to intercept a pass thrown by (an opponent)
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Origin of INTERCEPT
Middle English, from Latin interceptus, past participle of intercipere, from inter- + capere to take, seize — more at heave
Rhymes with INTERCEPT
2intercept
noun in·ter·cept \ˈin-tər-ˌsept\
Definition of INTERCEPT
1
: the distance from the origin to a point where a graph crosses a coordinate axis
2
: interception; especially : the interception of a missile by an interceptor or of a target by a missile
3
: a message, code, or signal that is intercepted (as by monitoring radio communications)
First Known Use of INTERCEPT
1821
Other Telecommunications Terms
INTERCEPTS Defined for Kids
intercept
verb in·ter·cept \ˌin-tər-ˈsept\
in·ter·cept·edin·ter·cept·ing
Definition of INTERCEPT for Kids
1
: to take, seize, or stop before reaching an intended destination <intercept a message>
2
: to catch (a football) passed by a member of the opposing team
Word Root of INTERCEPT
The Latin word capere, meaning “to seize” or “to take,” and its form captus give us the roots cap, capt, and cept. Words from the Latin capere have something to do with taking. To capture is to take something or someone by using force. To accept is to take something willingly. Anyone capable of doing something is able to take on that task.
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