I. ˌintə(r)ˈsept transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin interceptus, past participle of intercipere, from inter- + -cipere (from capere to take, seize) — more at heave
1. : to take, seize, or stop by the way or before arrival at the destined place : stop or interrupt the progress or course of
intercept a letter
telegram will intercept him at Paris
intercept a forward pass
intercept an attacking bomber
2. obsolete : to stop or prevent from doing something : hinder
who intercepts me in my expedition — Shakespeare
3. obsolete : to interrupt communication or connection with
while storms vindictive intercept the shore — Alexander Pope
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
II. ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
1. : a part intercepted ; specifically : the part of a coordinate axis included between the origin and the point where a graph crosses the axis
2. : an interception of a ball passed or thrown by an opponent (as in lacrosse)
3. : a picked-up code or message (as one sent by radio)