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intercepts - 2 dictionary results
in·ter·cept     (ĭn'tər-sěpt')  Pronunciation Key 


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tr.v.   in·ter·cept·ed, in·ter·cept·ing, in·ter·cepts
  1. To stop, deflect, or interrupt the progress or intended course of: intercepted me with a message as I was leaving.
  2. Sports
    1. To gain possession of (an opponent's pass), as in football or basketball.
    2. To gain possession of a pass made by (an opponent), especially in football.
  3. Mathematics To include or bound (a part of a space or curve) between two points or lines.
  4. Archaic To prevent.
  5. Obsolete To cut off from access or communication.

n.   (ĭn'tər-sěpt')
  1. Mathematics The coordinate of a point at which a line, curve, or surface intersects a coordinate axis.
    1. The interception of a missile by another missile or an aircraft by another aircraft.
    2. Interception of a radio transmission.
  3. An interceptor.


[Middle English intercepten, from Latin intercipere, intercept- : inter-, inter- + capere, to seize; see kap- in Indo-European roots.]

in'ter·cep'tive adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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intercept   (ĭn'tər-sěpt')  Pronunciation Key 
In a Cartesian coordinate system, the coordinate of a point at which a line, curve, or surface intersects a coordinate axis. If a curve intersects the x-axis at (4,0), then 4 is the curve's x-intercept; if the curve intersects the y-axis at (0,2), then 2 is its y-intercept.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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