apprehend

American  

[ap-ri-hend] / ˌæp rɪˈhɛnd /

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.

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verb (used without object)

1. to understand.

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

apprehend British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of apprehend

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”)

Example Sentences

Duterte was apprehended at Manila airport after arriving from Hong Kong and hours later was flown to The Hague, where he is detained to this day.

From BBC

He established a unified chain of command and emphasized working with state and local authorities to apprehend criminal illegal aliens inside jails.

From The Wall Street Journal

Around eight years ago, a former Apple employee was apprehended by federal agents just before boarding a flight to Beijing with secrets tied to the company’s autonomous-driving program.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is not the first time Latin American officers have used fancy dress while apprehending suspected criminals.

From BBC

Nearly two weeks since Guthrie’s apparent abduction, law enforcement still hasn’t apprehended a suspect.

From Salon

Related Words

• bust
• capture
• seize