Caught

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /kɔːt/

Definitions

1. Taken hold of or seized, often unexpectedly ; Comprehended or understood mentally, especially something subtle or difficult
2. Apprehended or trapped physically or figuratively ; Perceived or made sense of an idea or statement
3. Secured or grabbed, especially by surprise or effort ; Fully grasped or caught the meaning or significance of something

Etymology: "Caught" is the past tense and past participle of "catch," so its history is largely that of the verb. Its irregular shape is the notable part. The past form likely took its pattern from verbs like "taught" and "sought," rather than descending from an older root shared with the present tense. "Catch" came into English through Anglo-Norman "cachier," meaning to chase or hunt. That came from Latin "captiare," a frequentative of "capere," to seize. The earliest sense was closer to pursuing game than to grasping it, and the later meanings of seizing, trapping and perceiving grew out of that physical grab. Understanding an idea is, in this sense, taking hold of it.

Synonyms: captured, seized, grasped, snared, intercepted

Antonyms: released, freed, let go, abandoned, escaped