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Intercept vs Detain - What's the difference?

intercept | detain |

In lang=en terms the difference between intercept and detain

is that intercept is to stop, deflect or divert (something in progress or motion) while detain is to keep back or from; to withhold.

As verbs the difference between intercept and detain

is that intercept is to stop, deflect or divert (something in progress or motion) while detain is keep (someone) from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention.

As a noun intercept

is an interception of a radio broadcast or a telephone call.

intercept

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • An interception of a radio broadcast or a telephone call.
  • (senseid)An interception of a missile.
  • (algebraic geometry) The coordinate of the point at which a curve intersects an axis.
  • *2012 , Alice Kaseberg, Greg Cripe, Peter Wildman, Introductory Algebra: Everyday Explorations , page 278
  • *:Because the horizontal-axis intercept' occurs when y=0 and the vertical-axis '''intercept''' occurs when x=0, we can find the ' intercepts algebraically.

    • See also

    * (an interception of a radio broadcast or a telephone call) bug

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To stop, deflect or divert (something in progress or motion).
    • The police intercepted the package of stolen goods while it was in transit.
    {{quote-Fanny Hill, part=2 , ...and made every vein of my body circulate liquid fires: the emotion grew so violent that it almost intercepted my respiration.}}
  • (sports) To gain possession of (the ball) in a ball game.

    • detain

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • Keep (someone) from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention.
  • To put under custody.
  • To keep back or from; to withhold.
  • * Jeremy Taylor
    • Detain not the wages of the hireling.