Intercept, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Intercepted; p. pr. & vb. n. Intercepting.]
Etymology: [L. interceptus, p. p. of intercipere to intercept; inter between + capere to take, seize: cf. F. intercepter. See Capable.]
1. To take or seize by the way, or before arrival at the destined place; to cause to stop on the passage; as, to intercept a letter; a telegram will intercept him at Paris. God will shortly intercept your breath. Joye.
2. To obstruct or interrupt the progress of; to stop; to hinder or oppose; as, to intercept the current of a river. Who intercepts me in my expedition Shak. We must meet first, and intercept his course. Dryden.
3. To interrupt communication with, or progress toward; to cut off, as the destination; to blockade. While storms vindictive intercept the shore. Pope.
4. (Math.)
2 more senses
To include between; as, that part of the intercepted between the points A and B.
Syn. -- To cut off; stop; catch; seize; obstruct.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Intercept, n. (Math.)
A part cut off or intercepted, as a portion of a line included between two points, or cut off two straight lines or curves.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for intercept; he lists it under interpose.
Where he writes about it:
Intercept is applied to an object that may be seized or stopped while in transit; as, to intercept a letter or a messenger; interrupt is applied to an action which might or should be continuous, but is broken in upon (L. rumpere, to break) by some disturbing power; as, the conversation was interrupted. — from interpose