'To catch at' definitions:

Definition of 'To catch at'

From: GCIDE
  • Catch \Catch\, v. i.
  • 1. To attain possession. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • Have is have, however men do catch. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To be held or impeded by entanglement or a light obstruction; as, a kite catches in a tree; a door catches so as not to open. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To take hold; as, the bolt does not catch. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. To spread by, or as by, infecting; to communicate. [1913 Webster]
  • Does the sedition catch from man to man? --Addison. [1913 Webster]
  • To catch at, to attempt to seize; to be eager to get or use. "[To] catch at all opportunities of subverting the state." --Addison.
  • To catch up with, to come up with; to overtake. [1913 Webster]