- intercept (v.)
- c. 1400, "to cut off" (a line), "prevent" (the spread of a disease), from Latin interceptus, past participle of intercipere "take or seize between, to seize in passing," from inter- "between" (see inter-) + -cipere, comb. form of capere "to take, catch" (see capable). Related: Intercepted; intercepting.
- intercept (n.)
- "that which is intercepted," from intercept (v.). From 1821 of a ball thrown in a sport; 1880 in navigation; 1942 in reference to secret messages.
