Intercept

Pronunciation

• RP enPR: Ä­ntÉ™sÄ•pt', IPA: /ɪntəˈsÉ›pt/
• US enPR: Ä­ntÉ™rsÄ•pt', IPA: /ɪntɚˈsÉ›pt/

• RP enPR: Ä­n'tÉ™sÄ•pt, IPA: /ˈɪntÉ™sÉ›pt/
• US enPR: Ä­n'tÉ™rsÄ•pt, IPA: /ˈɪntÉšsÉ›pt/
• Rhymes: -É›pt

Origin

• From Latin interceptum, past participle of intercipere.

Full definition of intercept

Noun

1. An interception of a radio broadcast or a telephone call.
2. (interception of a missile)An interception of a missile.
3. (algebraic geometry) The coordinate of the point at which a curve intersects an axis.
• 2012, Alice Kaseberg, Greg Cripe, Peter Wildman, Introductory Algebra: Everyday Explorations, page 278Because the horizontal-axis intercept occurs when y=0 and the vertical-axis intercept occurs when x=0, we can find the intercepts algebraically.

Verb

1. (transitive) To stop, deflect or divert (something in progress or motion).The police intercepted the package of stolen goods while it was in transit.
2. (transitive, sports) To gain possession of (the ball) in a ball game.