intersect

English

Etymology

From Latin intersecare (“to cut between, cut off”), from inter (“between”) + secare (“to cut”).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ɪntɚˈsɛkt/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ɪntəˈsɛkt/

• Audio (UK)

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• Rhymes: -ɛkt

Verb

intersect (third-person singular simple present intersects, present participle intersecting, simple past and past participle intersected)

1. (transitive, intransitive) To cut into or between; to cut or cross mutually; to divide into parts.

   Parallel lines don't intersect.

   Any two diameters of a circle intersect each other at the centre.

   • 1782–1785, William Cowper, “(please specify the page)”, in The Task, a Poem, , London: J Johnson;  , →OCLC:

     Lands intersected by a narrow frith / Abhor each other.

2. (mathematics) Of two sets, to have at least one element in common.

Related terms

Translations

Further reading

• “intersect”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “intersect”, in The Century Dictionary , New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
• “intersect”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.