apprehend

[ap-ri-hend]

verb (used with object)

1. to take into custody; arrest by legal warrant or authority.

   The police apprehended the burglars.

2. to grasp the meaning of; understand, especially intuitively; perceive.

3. to expect with anxiety, suspicion, or fear; anticipate.

   apprehending violence.

verb (used without object)

1. to understand.

2. to be apprehensive, suspicious, or fearful; fear.

apprehend

/ ˌæprɪˈhɛnd /

verb

1. (tr) to arrest and escort into custody; seize

2. to perceive or grasp mentally; understand

3. (tr) to await with fear or anxiety; dread

Other Word Forms

• apprehender noun
• reapprehend verb
• unapprehended adjective
• unapprehending adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of apprehend¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English apprehenden, from Latin apprehendere “to grasp,” from ap- ap- ¹ + prehendere “to seize” (from pre-, prae- pre- + -hendere “to grasp”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of apprehend¹

C14: from Latin apprehendere to lay hold of

Example Sentences

Ismael Ayala-Uribe, 39, died Sept. 22 about a month after being apprehended while working at the Fountain Valley Auto Wash, where he had worked for 15 years, according to a GoFundMe post by his family.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The driver fled the scene after the incident, but a suspect was later apprehended about two to three miles from the incident near San Juan Capistrano.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“We’ll do everything to apprehend the perpetrators of these acts,” he said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Former NFL star Antonio Brown chose Friday not to contest his extradition from New Jersey to Miami after he was apprehended by U.S.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He was apprehended at the Channel Tunnel while fleeing to Spain in a borrowed Bentley with a suitcase full of cash.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• bust 
• capture 
• seize