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Synonyms

apperceive

American  
[ap-er-seev] / ˌæp ərˈsiv /

verb (used with object)

Psychology.
apperceived, apperceiving
  1. to have conscious perception of; comprehend.

  2. to comprehend (a new idea) by assimilation with the sum of one's previous knowledge and experience.


apperceive British  
/ ˌæpəˈsiːv /

verb

  1. to be aware of perceiving

  2. psychol to comprehend by assimilating (a perception) to ideas already in the mind

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • unapperceived adjective

Etymology

Origin of apperceive

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English word from Old French word aperceivre. See ap- 1, perceive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A medical or engineering expert retained on one side of a case will not apperceive the facts in the same way as if the other side had retained him.

From Talks To Teachers On Psychology; And To Students On Some Of Life's Ideals by James, William

Similarly, the time-honored phenomenon of diabolical possession is on the point of being admitted by the scientist as a fact, now that he has the name of "hystero-demonopathy" by which to apperceive it.

From Varieties of Religious Experience, a Study in Human Nature by James, William

On the contrary, they apperceive every experience and assign it to its place.

From Meaning of Truth by James, William

To apperceive, for instance, the rules of government and agreement in grammar will have a very limited value if the student is not able to give expression to these in his own conversation.

From Ontario Normal School Manuals: Science of Education by Ontario. Ministry of Education

The arrangement difficult to apperceive as a whole.

From Harvard Psychological Studies, Volume 1 Containing Sixteen Experimental Investigations from the Harvard Psychological Laboratory. by Münsterberg, Hugo