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intercept

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The definition of intercept is to get in the middle of someone or something and his/its final destination and prevent the person or thing from getting to the final destination.

(verb)

When you prevent someone from walking into a room this is an example of a time when you intercept the person.
When a quarterback throws a ball to his receiver and instead you jump up and catch it, this is an example of an intercept.

See intercept in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to seize or stop on the way, before arrival at the intended place; stop or interrupt the course of; cut off: to intercept a forward pass
Now Rare
1. to stop, hinder, or prevent
2. to cut off communication with, sight of, etc.
Math. to cut off, mark off, or bound between two points, lines, or planes

Origin: < L interceptus, pp. of intercipere, to take between, interrupt < inter-, between + capere, to take: see have

noun

1. the act of intercepting
2. the fact or condition of being intercepted
a message intercepted during electronic or radio transmission
Math. the part of a line, plane, etc. intercepted
Mil. the act of intercepting an enemy force, esp. enemy aircraft

Related Forms:

interceptive adjective

See intercept in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb in·ter·cept·ed, in·ter·cept·ing, in·ter·cepts

To stop, deflect, or interrupt the progress or intended course of: intercepted me with a message as I was leaving.
Sports
a. To gain possession of (an opponent's pass), as in football or basketball.
b. To gain possession of a pass made by (an opponent), especially in football.
Mathematics To include or bound (a part of a space or curve) between two points or lines.
Archaic To prevent.
Obsolete To cut off from access or communication.

noun (ĭnˈtər-sĕptˌ)

Mathematics The coordinate of a point at which a line, curve, or surface intersects a coordinate axis.
a. The interception of a missile by another missile or an aircraft by another aircraft.
b. Interception of a radio transmission.
An interceptor.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English intercepten

Origin: , from Latin intercipere, intercept-

Origin: : inter-, inter-

Origin: + capere, to seize; see kap- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: