Definition of intercept

The word "intercept" is derived from the Latin terms "inter" (meaning between) and "capere" (meaning to take). In Middle English, this word was first used in the context of warfare, referring to capturing or seizing enemy soldiers or messages in between their path of travel. During the Renaissance, the term "intercept" gained a mathematical and scientific meaning. Mathematically, it refers to finding the point where two curves or lines meet or where a line intersects another curve. In physics, it denotes stopping or capturing a moving object or signal before it reaches its intended destination or target. Over time, the term "intercept" has expanded to include various other contexts, such as in computer science to refer to interrupting the normal flow of data in a system or network, in communication technology to describe the act of intercepting and deciphering electronic messages or signals, and in economics to denote a dividend payment that is paid to preferred shareholders before any dividends are issued to common shareholders, which is known as "intercepting" the common stock dividends. Overall, the meaning of "intercept" has evolved and broadened across various fields based on the needs of the particular context. Nonetheless, the original meaning of capturing or taking something between two points is central to all these different uses of the word.