caught
ˈkȯt
also ˈkät
; catching
1
a
: to capture or seize especially after pursuit
catch a thief
b
: to take or entangle in or as if in a snare
catch fish in a net
c
: deceive
d
: to discover unexpectedly : find
caught in the act
e
: to check (oneself) suddenly or momentarily
He started to say the wrong thing but quickly caught himself.
f
: to become suddenly aware of
caught me looking at him
2
a
: to take hold of : seize
He caught her by the arm as she tripped.
b
: to affect suddenly
The announcement caught me by surprise.
c
: to grasp and hold on to (something in motion)
catch a fly ball
d
: to avail oneself of : take
caught the first opportunity to leave
e
: to obtain through effort : get
catch a ride
f
: to overtake unexpectedly
—usually used in the passive
was caught in a storm
g
: to get entangled
catch a sleeve on a nail
3
: to become affected by: such as
a
: contract
catch a cold
b
: to respond sympathetically to the point of being imbued (see imbue sense 2) with
catch the spirit of an occasion
c
: to be struck by
He caught a bullet in the leg.
d
: to be subjected to : receive
catch hell
4
a
: to take in and retain
a barrel to catch rainwater
b
: fasten
catch back a curtain
5
: to take or get usually momentarily or quickly
catch a glimpse of a friend
catch a nap
6
a
: overtake
catch the leader in a race
b
: to get aboard in time
catch the bus
7
8
: to make contact with : strike
The pitch caught him in the back.
9
a
: to grasp by the senses or the mind
you catch what I mean?
didn't catch the name
b
: to apprehend and fix by artistic means
The new portrait catches her likeness perfectly.
11
: to serve as a catcher for in baseball
caught both ends of the doubleheader
12
: to meet with
catch you later
1
: to grasp hastily or try to grasp
2
: to become caught
The kite caught in the tree branches.
3
: to catch fire
4
: to play the position of catcher on a baseball team
5
: kick over
the engine caught
1
: something caught
especially
: the total quantity caught at one time
a large catch of fish
2
a
: the act, action, or fact of catching
The shortstop made a tough catch.
b
: a game in which a ball is thrown and caught
played catch with his dad
3
: something that checks or holds immovable
a safety catch
4
: one worth catching especially as a spouse
5
: a round for three or more unaccompanied usually male voices often with suggestive or obscene lyrics
7
: a concealed difficulty or complication
there must be a catch
8
: a momentary audible break in the voice or breath
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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