comprehensive
[kom-pri-hen-siv]
- of large scope; covering or involving much; inclusive: a comprehensive study of world affairs.
- comprehending or thoroughly understanding with one's mind; having an extensive mental range or grasp, as of a particular subject or many subjects.
- Insurance. covering or providing broad protection against loss.
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- Often comprehensives. Also called comprehensive examination. an examination of extensive coverage given to measure a student's general progress, proficiency in his or her major field of study, or the like.
- the detailed layout of an advertisement, showing placement of photographs, illustrations, copy, etc., as for presentation to a client.Compare visual(def 7).
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Origin of comprehensive
Synonyms
See more synonyms for comprehensive on Thesaurus.com1. broad, wide, extensive, full.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for comprehensiveness
Historical Examples
The boy flushed with pleasure under the comprehensiveness of that wink.
In the Midst of AlarmsRobert Barr
I used to pride myself on that once, fool that I was, and call it comprehensiveness.
Daily ThoughtsCharles Kingsley
But the bird's-eye view of the city is a marvel in its perfection and comprehensiveness.
Foot-prints of TravelMaturin M. Ballou
But this will be due, not to its own tendencies, but to the comprehensiveness of the old definitions.
Gryll GrangeThomas Love Peacock
This view of the Yosemite surpasses all others in its comprehensiveness and grandeur.
America, Volume 6 (of 6)Joel Cook
comprehensive
- of broad scope or content; including all or much
- (of a car insurance policy) providing protection against most risks, including third-party liability, fire, theft, and damage
- having the ability to understand
- of, relating to, or being a comprehensive school
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- short for comprehensive school
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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 comprehensiveness
comprehensive
adj.
"containing much," 1610s, from French comprehénsif, from Late Latin comprehensivus, from comprehens-, past participle stem of Latin comprehendere (see comprehend). Related: Comprehensively (mid-15c.); comprehensiveness.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper