I. ˌin-tər-ˈsept transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin interceptus, past participle of intercipere, from inter- + capere to take, seize — more at heave
Date: 15th century
1. obsolete : prevent , hinder
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 intercept ed between two radii
5.
a. : to gain possession of (an opponent's pass)
b. : to intercept a pass thrown by (an opponent)
II. ˈin-tər-ˌsept noun
Date: 1821
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)