interceptn.
/ˈɪntəsɛpt/ 1. An interception. spec. of a ball passed or thrown to an opponent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition or fact of being interjacent > [noun] > that which is interjacent > and separates two things
horizona1387
divisionc1400
long divisionc1400
departinga1475
departure1523
separation1615
separatress1630
intercept1821
distancer1884
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > characteristics of team ball games > [noun] > actions or manoeuvres
ball1483
through-pass1673
intercept1821
fielding1823
outfielding1851
wrist stroke1851
goalkeeping1856
shot1868
scrimmage1872
passing1882
save1883
touchback1884
angle shot1885
shooting1885
pass1887
line1891
tackling1893
feeding1897
centre1898
chip shot1899
glovework1906
back-lift1912
push pass1919
aerial1921
screen1921
ball-hawking1925
fast break1929
tackle1930
chip1939
screenshot1940
snapshot1961
hang time1969
one-two1969
blooter1976
passback1976
sidefoot1979
1821 J. Banim & R. L. Sheil Damon & Pythias iv. i. 47 Never shall he return, if there be power In this quick hand to cast an intercept Between him and perdition.
1954 in Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Add.
1960 T. McLean Kings of Rugby xi. 143 Meredith made an intercept.
2. Mathematics. The part of a line lying between two points at which it is intersected by lines or planes.
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the world > relative properties > number > geometry > line > [noun] > segment of
segment1617
intersegment1690
intercept1864
1864 in Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang.
1878 H. P. Gurney Crystallogr. 18 The lengths..which are cut off by the plane..from the axes are called its intercepts.
1882 C. Smith Conic Sect. (1885) 15 To find the equation of a straight line in terms of the intercepts which it makes on the axes.
3. Navigation. The angular difference between the calculated and the observed zenith distances of a heavenly body.
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the world > the universe > heavenly body > position of heavenly body > [noun] > other
declinationc1400
meridian altitudec1400
angle of position?a1560
zenith distance1588
refraction1603
azimuth1626
amplitude1627
horizontal parallax1665
complement1703
aberration1737
hour-angle1837
intercept1901
1901 J. R. Walker Explan. Method Obtaining Position at Sea 15 Let the difference between the calculated and observed zenith distance be k miles nearer (say) at the first observation and l miles further at the second. Let the extremities of these intercepts be A and B.
1939 Geogr. Jrnl. 94 254 Nowadays the best way of obtaining latitude and longitude with a theodolite is the quadrantal and intercept method.
1969 G. Richards Sextant Observ. iii. 92 The difference in value between the true altitude and the tabulated altitude is the intercept, and it can be ‘Towards’ (the body) or ‘Away’ (from the body).
4. A conversation, message, code, etc., that is picked up or discovered by the use of a concealed microphone, by listening to a radio communication, etc.; a device for achieving this.
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society > communication > telecommunication > [noun] > signal > message detected by tapping, etc.
intercept1942
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > audibility > sound magnification or reproduction > [noun] > microphone
carbon transmitter1878
microphone1878
carbon microphone1879
pantelephone1881
phonoscope1890
mike1911
condenser microphone1921
magnetophone1922
radio microphone1922
ionophone1924
crystal microphone1925
ribbon microphone1925
radio mike1926
laryngophone1927
velocity microphone1931
ribbon mike1933
pressure microphone1934
bug1936
eight ball1937
ribbon1937
throat microphone1937
throat mike1937
rifle microphone1938
parabolic microphone1939
lip microphone1941
intercept1942
spike mike1950
spy-mike1955
spy-microphone1960
mic1961
rifle mike1961
gun microphone1962
spike microphone1962
shotgun microphone1968
Lavallière1972
wire1973
sneaky1974
multi-mikes1990
society > communication > telecommunication > [noun] > signal > message detected by tapping, etc. > device for
intercept1972
1942 Sun (Baltimore) 10 Dec. 1/3 Distributing these copied excerpts to Government departments and officials who might have an interest in such ‘intercepts’, as they are called.
1945 Sun (Baltimore) 30 Nov. 3 In the War Department..the intercepts were shown only to Secretary Henry L. Stimson, [etc.].
1958 Manch. Guardian 13 Jan. 4 The ‘intercepts’ (transcripts of recordings obtained by wire-tapping)..were used as evidence in the hearing.
1967 ‘W. Haggard’ Conspirators xii. 123 We can't monitor every wavelength round the clock..but we've picked up one or two intercepts between Kaunas and this diplomat.
1972 R. Ludlum Osterman Weekend i. 32 Intercepts have been placed on all telephones.
1973 N.Y. Times 22 June 35 Given torrents of intercepts..cryptanalysts could not reach a solution for thousands of years.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online June 2018).
† interceptadj.
Obsolete. rare.
Intercepted.
a. as past participle.
ΚΠ
c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §39. 48 Thay mene the arch meridian þat is contiened or except [read intercept] by-twixe the cenyth and the equinoxial.
b. as adj.
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the world > relative properties > number > geometry > line > [adjective] > relating to intersection
secant1594
intercept1716
1716 A. de Moivre in Philos. Trans. 1714–16 (Royal Soc.) 29 338 A Curve whose Ordinates..are equal to the Tangents of their respective intercept Arcs.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
interceptv.
/ɪntəˈsɛpt/ 1. figurative.?c1550 tr. P. Vergil Eng. Hist. (1846) I. 162 Beinge intercepted bie deathe, [he] lefte this worcke to be accomplished to his successor Oswaldus.† c. To interrupt, break in upon (esp. a narrative or a person speaking). Obsolete.† e. absol. or intransitive. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To seize, catch, or carry off (a person, ship, letter, etc.) on the way from one place to another; to cut off from the destination aimed at.
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the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (transitive)] > in transit
intercept1548
to make stay of1572
surcept1579
waylay1600
stop1604
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. xxviijv Which goyng preuely out..roade about the walles to viewe and se their strength, was sodeynly intercepted and taken of hys enemies.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccccixv Letters..sent at this time to the Princes confederated & others but intercepted.
1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 ii. i. 114 I..Marcht to saint Albons to entercept [1623 intercept] the Queene.
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Northampt. 290 He wrote Postills on the Proverbs, and other Sermons, which the envy of time hath intercepted from us.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 44. ⁋7 Sir John Leak, who lies off of Dunkirk, had intercepted several Ships.
1847 W. H. Prescott Hist. Conquest Peru II. iii. x. 71 He also posted a large body..to watch the movements of the enemy, and to intercept supplies.
1868 E. Edwards Life Sir W. Ralegh I. xii. 233 The utmost endeavour was to be made to intercept and capture the homeward bound fleets.
b. To stop the natural course of (light, heat, water, etc.); to cut off (light) from anything.
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the world > movement > absence of movement > render immobile [verb (transitive)] > stop the movement of > stop course or flow of something
stinta1330
stop1393
intercept1545
blench1602
hain1636
screen1657
to break off1791
to turn off1822
to break one's fall1849
the world > matter > light > darkness or absence of light > intercepting or cutting off of light > intercept or cut off (light) [verb (transitive)]
intercept1661
1545 G. Joye Expos. Daniel (xi.) f. 182 God will shortely intercept your brethe..if ye repent not.
1661 J. Glanvill Vanity of Dogmatizing xviii. 168 Like paint on Glass, which intercepts and dyes the light.
a1711 T. Ken Divine Love in Wks. (1838) 302 Ah, Lord! there is a dark cloud of ignorance spread over my soul, that intercepts thy beams.
1821 W. M. Craig Lect. Drawing iv. 233 To shadow the parts..from which the light is intercepted.
1856 A. P. Stanley Sinai & Palestine xiv. 465 A blue curtain is drawn across the top to intercept the rain admitted through the dome.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > interruption > interrupt (speech) [verb (transitive)]
forbreakc1374
interrupta1420
recoupc1450
lardc1550
interturb1554
intercept1581
parenthese1635
punctuate1848
puncture1896
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 299 Whom the Pope with open mouth entercepted most arrogantly saying [etc.].
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus iii. i. 39 In some sort they are better than the Tribunes, For that they will not intercept my tale. View more context for this quotation
1644 E. Dering Disc. Proper Sacrifice bb Some will intercept me with a question.
1759 S. Johnson Prince of Abissinia II. xxxviii. 92 I could not listen long without intercepting the tale.
d. To stop, check, or cut off (passage or motion) from one place to another.
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the world > movement > absence of movement > render immobile [verb (transitive)] > stop the movement of > cause to be arrested or intercepted in progress
warna1250
foreclosec1290
dit1362
stayc1440
stopc1440
set1525
suppress1547
bar1578
frontier1589
stay1591
intercepta1599
to cut off1600
interpose1615
lodgea1616
obstruct1621
stifle1629
sufflaminate1656
stick1824
to hold up1887
a1599 E. Spenser View State Ireland 83 in J. Ware Two Hist. Ireland (1633) Garrisons..alwayes ready to intercept his going or comming.
1683 Britanniæ Speculum 251 A Fleet of English Vessels, sent out..to intercept his passage.
1838 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) II. 313 To destroy the bridges, and intercept the return of Xerxes.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xvi. 636 He was seized with an apprehension that his flight might be intercepted.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > absence of movement > [verb (intransitive)] > cease to move or become motionless > be arrested or intercepted in progress
steek?a1400
sticka1450
lodge1611
intercept1612
catch1620
clog1633
jam1706
rake1725
fasten1744
set1756
hitch1897
seize1917
1612 S. Rowlands Knaue of Harts 23 Till that Death doe intercept, Now we are borne, we must, and will be kept.
1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 193 Thefts belonged to the Sheriffs Court; and (if the Lords court intercepts not) all batteries and woundings.
1682 G. Wheler Journey into Greece vi. 409 As soon as we were come up, a Cloud of Snow intercepted between us and the most charming Prospect my Eyes ever beheld.
2.
a. To cut off or stop (a person or thing) from accomplishing some purpose; to prevent, stop, hinder. Const. from (infinitive). Now rare or Obsolete.
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the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (transitive)] > from an action, purpose, etc.
warnc888
withseta1330
defendc1330
conclude1382
privea1387
retainc1415
refrain1442
prohibit1483
repel1483
stop1488
sever?1507
discourage1528
seclude?1531
prevent1533
foreclose1536
lock1560
stay1560
disallow1568
intercept1576
to put bya1586
crossa1616
stave1616
prevent1620
secure1623
stave1630
riot1777
tent1781
footer1813
to stop off1891
mozz1941
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separate [verb (transitive)] > separate from > cut off from
exilec1330
rob1340
privea1387
stop1398
privatec1425
strangec1430
interclude1569
intercept1576
circumcise1613
prescind1640
1576 A. Fleming tr. P. Manutius in Panoplie Epist. 314 I was intercepted and hindered with most grievous and sorrowfull thoughtes.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III iv. iv. 137 A she, that might haue intercepted thee By strangling thee..From al the slaughters wretch, that thou hast done. View more context for this quotation
a1626 F. Bacon Elements Common Lawes (1630) 8 The party altogether prevented and intercepted to come by his right.
1700 J. Dryden tr. Ovid Meleager & Atalanta in Fables 106 He tramples down the Spikes, and intercepts the Year.
1785 W. Cowper Task i. 514 Snug inclosures in the sheltered vale, Where frequent hedges intercept the eye.
1793 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) IV. 95 We have been intercepted entirely from the commerce of furs with the Indian nations.
b. To check, prevent, or cut off (the operation or effect of an event, action, faculty, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] > cause to cease or put a stop to
astintc700
stathea1200
atstuntc1220
to put an end toa1300
to set end ofa1300
batec1300
stanch1338
stinta1350
to put awayc1350
arrestc1374
finisha1375
terminec1390
achievea1393
cease1393
removec1405
terminate?a1425
stop1426
surceasec1435
resta1450
discontinue1474
adetermine1483
blina1500
stay1525
abrogatea1529
suppressa1538
to set in or at stay1538
to make stay of1572
depart1579
check1581
intercept1581
to give a stop toa1586
dirempt1587
date1589
period1595
astayc1600
nip1600
to break off1607
snape1631
sist1635
to make (a) stop of1638
supersede1643
assopiatea1649
periodizea1657
unbusya1657
to put a stop to1679
to give the holla to1681
to run down1697
cessate1701
end1737
to choke off1818
stopper1821
punctuate1825
to put a stopper on1828
to take off ——1845
still1850
to put the lid on1873
on the fritz1900
to close down1903
to put the fritz on something1910
to put the bee on1918
switch1921
to blow the whistle on1934
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xxxvii. 149 The embush, which lyeth still in waite, to intercept our possession.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) i. v. 14 To intercept this inconuenience, A Peece of Ordnance 'gainst it I haue plac'd. View more context for this quotation
1619 E. M. Bolton tr. Florus Rom. Hist. 125 The victorie was intercepted by tempest, and the triumph miscarried by shipwracke.
1754 Bp. T. Sherlock Disc. (1759) I. iv. 158 A very thick Film over [his eyes] intercepts all sight.
1847 J. Martineau Endeavours Christian Life II. iii. 49 Causes less excusable also intercept its influence.
3. To mark off or include (a certain space) between two points or lines; hence, to contain, enclose. spec. in Mathematics (see intercept n. 2).
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the world > relative properties > number > geometry > geometric space > divide geometric space [verb (transitive)]
intercept?a1560
?a1560 L. Digges Geom. Pract.: Pantometria (1571) i. xxxi. sig. K j I fynde 10 partes in my scale of altitudes, intercepted with the perpendicular lyne.
1647 W. Lilly Christian Astrol. iv. 37 I conclude that the Signe ♈ is intercepted; for so we say when a Signe is not upon any of the cuspes of Houses, but is included betwixt one House and another.
1677 W. Harris tr. N. Lémery Course Chym. i. xvi. 190 The Pores of Silver being very near one another, and of a much greater number, do intercept less solid matter, and consequently it must be lighter.
1772 J. Adams tr. A. de Ulloa Voy. S. Amer. (ed. 3) I. 14 The number of degrees intercepted between the magnetic and true north of the world.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) 184 The whole time intercepted betwixt the first stroke upon the Rock, and leaving the Lighthouse compleat, was 3 years, 9 weeks, 3 days.
1827 O. Gregory Hutton's Course Math. (ed. 9) I. 317 Any two parallel chords intercept equal arcs.
4. To cut off (one thing) from (another), or (elliptically) from sight, access, etc. †Also with of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition or fact of being interjacent > be or make interjacent [verb (transitive)] > partition or form a partition
sever1422
part1458
intercept1662
intersect1785
split1795
partition1818
screen1850
fence1881
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (transitive)] > by interception
fore-rideOE
blind1303
to cut off1569
forestall1570
intercept1662
interdict1984
1662 H. More Coll. Several Philos. Writings (ed. 2) Pref. Gen. 13 There being other properties in Body that intercepted from it the capacity of perceiving.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xvii. 478 These Bays are intercepted, or divided from each other, with as many little rocky points of Woodland.
1700 J. Dryden Flower & Leaf in Fables 391 Thick as the College of the Bees in May, When swarming o'er the dusky Fields they fly..and intercept the Sky.
1765 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy VII. xli. 143 When I saw the gate which intercepted the tomb, my heart glowed within me.
1814 T. Chalmers Posthumous Wks. (1849) VI. 197 The glass which now intercepts from the eye of the mind the realities of the future world.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1821
adj.c1400v.1545