comprehend

[kom-pri-hend]

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verb (used with object)

to understand the nature or meaning of; grasp with the mind; perceive: He did not comprehend the significance of the ambassador's remark.

to take in or embrace; include; comprise: The course will comprehend all facets of Japanese culture.

Origin of comprehend

1350–1400; Middle English comprehenden < Latin comprehendere, equivalent to com- com- + prehendere to grasp; see prehensile

Related formscom·pre·hend·er, nouncom·pre·hend·ing·ly, adverbnon·com·pre·hend·ing, adjectivenon·com·pre·hend·ing·ly, adverbpre·com·pre·hend, verb (used with object)self-com·pre·hend·ing, adjectiveun·com·pre·hend·ed, adjectiveun·com·pre·hend·ing, adjectiveun·com·pre·hend·ing·ly, adverbwell-com·pre·hend·ed, adjective

Can be confusedapprehend comprehend

Synonyms for comprehend

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1. See know¹. 2. See include.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for comprehending

envision, assimilate, appreciate, fathom, grasp, discern, embody, embrace, tumble, apprehend, conceive, dig, perceive, catch, see, read, know, have, savvy, envisage

Examples from the Web for comprehending

Contemporary Examples of comprehending

I'm okay with people not comprehending or appreciating every single thing we did.
Palin's Enforcer Bails Out
Shushannah Walshe
February 26, 2010

Historical Examples of comprehending

"Give Mrs. Bowlder my regards," said the journalist, comprehending the symbolism.
The Gentleman From Indiana
Booth Tarkington
"No, it mightn't," her mother replied, comprehending easily.
Alice Adams
Booth Tarkington
Surprised, not yet comprehending, he looked at the object which she held toward him.
Doctor Pascal
Emile Zola
Did you ever set yourself to comprehending why Marie Stuart married Bothwell?
The Market-Place
Harold Frederic
"My name's Jenny West," she said, comprehending the request.
The Crooked House
Brandon Fleming

British Dictionary definitions for comprehending

comprehend

verb

to perceive or understand

(tr) to comprise or embrace; include

Word Origin for comprehend

C14: from Latin comprehendere, from prehendere to seize

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

Word Origin and History for comprehending

comprehend

mid-14c., "to understand," from Latin 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-) + prehendere "to catch hold of, seize" (see prehensile). Related: Comprehended; comprehending.