comprehend

comprehend
apprehend, comprehend
In the meanings in which they overlap, these two words denote slightly different aspects of understanding. Apprehend means to grasp or perceive a general idea or concept, whereas comprehend means to understand an argument or statement. Both can be followed by a simple object or by a that-clause. Examples: (apprehend)

• She drew a breath, long enough to apprehend that he was about to step from one world into another —Iris Murdoch, 1962

• As the mind apprehends and tries to make sense of the world, it develops ever-richer and more sophisticated concepts —J. Wolff, 2003

• (comprehend) Speak more slowly so that we can comprehend everything you say —Bernard Malamud, 1966

• Some people find it hard to comprehend how we can love and adore a being whom we also ‘fear’ at the very same time —Evangelical Times, 2005.


Modern English usage. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Comprehend — Com pre*hend , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Comprehended}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Comprehending}.] [L. comprehendere, comprehensum; com + prehendere to grasp, seize; prae before + hendere (used only in comp.). See {Get}, and cf. {Comprise}.] 1. To contain; to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • comprehend — I (include) verb be composed of, be comprised of, be made up of, circumscribe, compass, comprise, consist of, constitute, contain, cover, embody, embrace, encircle, encompass, envelop, incorporate, involve, possess, span, take in associated… …   Law dictionary

  • comprehend — (v.) mid 14c., to understand, from L. comprehendere to take together, to unite; include; seize (of catching fire or the arrest of criminals); also to comprehend, perceive (to seize or take in the mind), from com completely (see COM (Cf. com )) +… …   Etymology dictionary

  • comprehend — 1 *understand, appreciate Analogous words: seize, grasp (see TAKE): conceive, envisage, envision (see THINK) 2 *apprehend Analogous words: see those at COMPREHEND 1 3 embrace, involve, * …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • comprehend — [v1] understand appreciate, apprehend, assimilate, capiche*, catch, click, cognize, conceive, dig*, discern, envisage, envision, fathom, get*, get the picture*, gotcha*, grasp, have, know, make out*, perceive, read, savvy*, see, take in, tumble*; …   New thesaurus

  • comprehend — ► VERB 1) grasp mentally; understand. 2) formal include or encompass. ORIGIN Latin comprehendere, from prehendere to grasp …   English terms dictionary

  • comprehend — [käm΄prē hend′, käm΄prihend΄] vt. [ME comprehenden < L comprehendere < com , with + prehendere, to catch hold of, seize: see PREHENSILE] 1. to grasp mentally; understand 2. to include; take in; comprise SYN. INCLUDE, UNDERSTAND… …   English World dictionary

  • comprehend — 01. It s difficult to [comprehend] what would make two high school boys do such a terrible thing. 02. She talks to everyone she can, every chance she gets, so her listening [comprehension] has really improved. 03. We need to do a [comprehensive]… …   Grammatical examples in English

  • comprehend — UK [ˌkɒmprɪˈhend] / US [ˌkɑmprəˈhend] verb [intransitive/transitive] Word forms comprehend : present tense I/you/we/they comprehend he/she/it comprehends present participle comprehending past tense comprehended past participle comprehended formal …   English dictionary

  • comprehend — verb ADVERB ▪ fully ▪ barely ▪ She could barely comprehend what was happening to her. ▪ easily VERB + COMPREHEND ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

  • comprehend — com|pre|hend [ˌkɔmprıˈhend US ˌka:m ] v [I,T not in progressive] [Date: 1300 1400; : Latin; Origin: comprehendere to take hold of completely , from com ( COM ) + prehendere ( PREHENSILE)] to understand something that is complicated or difficult …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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