verb

catch

Translation

to catch, to get on, to contract, to understand

Can you catch the ball?

We need to catch the next train.

I think I'm catching a cold.

Sorry, I didn't catch your name.

((sth.)) to intercept (sth.) moving Can you catch the ball?

((a bus/train/etc.)) to get on transport We need to catch the train.

((a cold/illness)) to become ill with (sth.) I think I'm catching a cold.

((sth.)) to hear or understand (sth.) I didn't catch what you said.

Synonyms: grab, seize, capture; Antonyms: release, drop, miss

From Late Latin 'captiare', based on Latin 'capere' (to take).

Imagine a 'cat' trying to 'chase' and grab a mouse. This core idea of seizing applies to catching a ball, a train, or a cold.