perceive
[ per-seev ]
/ pərˈsiv /
verb (used with object), per·ceived, per·ceiv·ing.
to become aware of, know, or identify by means of the senses: I perceived an object looming through the mist.
to recognize, discern, envision, or understand: I perceive a note of sarcasm in your voice. This is a nice idea but I perceive difficulties in putting it into practice.
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Nearby words
perbunan, perc, percale, percaline, perceivable, perceive, perceived noise decibel, percent, percent sign, percentage, percenter
Origin of perceive
1250–1300; Middle English perceiven < Anglo-French *perceivre, for perçoivre < Latin percipere to lay hold of, grasp, equivalent to per- per- + -cipere, combining form of capere to take
SYNONYMS FOR perceive
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for perceiving
British Dictionary definitions for perceiving
perceive
/ (pəˈsiːv) /
verb
to become aware of (something) through the senses, esp the sight; recognize or observe
(tr; may take a clause as object) to come to comprehend; grasp
Derived Formsperceivable, adjectiveperceivability, nounperceivably, adverbperceiver, noun
Word Origin for perceive
C13: from Old French perçoivre, from Latin percipere seize entirely, from per- (thoroughly) + capere to grasp
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for perceiving
perceive
c.1300, via Anglo-French parceif, Old North French *perceivre (Old French perçoivre) "perceive, notice, see; recognize, understand," from Latin percipere "obtain, gather, seize entirely, take possession of," also, figuratively, "to grasp with the mind, learn, comprehend," literally "to take entirely," from per "thoroughly" (see per) + capere "to grasp, take" (see capable).
Replaced Old English ongietan. Both the Latin senses were in Old French, though the primary sense of Modern French percevoir is literal, "to receive, collect" (rents, taxes, etc.), while English uses the word almost always in the metaphorical sense. Related: Perceived; perceiving.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for perceiving
perceive
[ pər-sēv′ ]
v.
To become aware of directly through any of the senses, especially sight or hearing.
To achieve understanding of; apprehend.
Related formsper•ceiv′a•ble adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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