intercept
in-ter-SEPT
/ˌɪntərˈsept/
To block, divert, or catch a telephone call before it reaches its intended recipient.
Implies middle-tier action stopping a call in transit, by human operator or system routing.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'intercipere' ('inter-' between + 'capere' to catch). When phone networks grew automated, an 'intercept operator' or system was tasked with catching calls made to disconnected numbers mid-route.
Word relationships
- divert: Divert simply changes direction; intercept specifically catches or blocks the call before destination arrival.
- reroute: Reroute alters the path smoothly, while intercept implies stopping or seizing transmission.
- forward: Forward allows a call to proceed to an alternate end destination without blocking it.
Commonly confused with
- patch: Intercept stops or catches a call in transit; patch connects lines together into a single voice bridge.
Word family
- interception (noun): The act of intercepting a phone line or signal.
- interceptor (noun): A device or person that intercepts incoming calls.
Collocations
- intercept a call
- operator intercept
- intercept message
- system intercept
Example sentences
- "The executive secretary was asked to intercept all incoming sales calls today." Administrative assistant duties
Memory hook
INTER (between) + CEPT (catch) = catch the call between start and finish. Catch a call mid-transit.
When not to use
Do not use to describe answering your own phone normally when it rings.
Fun facts
- If you dial a non-working phone number, the automated message you hear is technically called a 'Special Intercept Tonal Message'.
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