Literary notes about Intercept (AI summary)
The word “intercept” in literature has been used in a rich variety of contexts, conveying both literal and metaphorical meanings. In some narratives it denotes a physical act—a character or force stopping another’s movement—such as intercepting couriers in military maneuvers ([1], [2], [3]), halting a blow in combat ([4]), or even catching someone in mid-action ([5], [6]). At the same time, writers extend the term metaphorically to signify the interruption of an idea, memory, or flow, as when imagination rushes in to intercept memory ([7]) or a thought is preemptively halted from completion ([8]). Moreover, “intercept” emerges in reflections on natural phenomena, describing how overhanging mountains intercept winds ([9]) or clouds intercept the skies ([10]). In each case, whether in strategic treatises, dramatic narratives, or poetic musings, “intercept” functions as a dynamic concept that bridges the tangible and the abstract, enriching the texture of literary expression.
- Thus I was able, thanks to the strategic disposition of my forces, to intercept two couriers from Mazarin to the queen.”
— from Twenty years after by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - So the Corinthians, when they reached Rhegium, found these ambassadors, and saw the Carthaginian fleet cruising to intercept them.
— from Plutarch's Lives, Volume 1 (of 4) by Plutarch - Four frigates had been despatched to intercept them.
— from The Life of Horatio, Lord Nelson by Robert Southey - This man leaped forward to intercept the blow.
— from Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas: An Underwater Tour of the World by Jules Verne - He turned round so as to intercept Miss Audley on her way to the staircase.
— from Lady Audley's Secret by M. E. Braddon - Kemp hesitated for a second and then moved to intercept him.
— from The Invisible Man: A Grotesque Romance by H. G. Wells - Poetry anticipates science, on which it ought to follow, and imagination rushes in to intercept memory, on which it ought to feed.
— from The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress by George Santayana - But let us be especially on our guard that, if anyone else is asked a question, we do not ourselves anticipate and intercept him in giving an answer.
— from Plutarch's Morals by Plutarch - The cause of the scorching heat is said to be high, overhanging mountains on the north, which intercept the northern winds.
— from The Geography of Strabo, Volume 3 (of 3) by Strabo - From the dry fields thick clouds of dust arise, Shade the black host, and intercept the skies.
— from The Iliad by Homer
