perceive
- 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.
Origin of perceive
Synonyms for perceive
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comExamples from the Web for perceiving
Contemporary Examples of perceiving
There is no disconnect between what the scientists are measuring and finding and what Americans are perceiving and experiencing.
If he's perceiving elite anxiety, one can only say: finally.
Najafi told The Daily Beast that perceiving his song as an insult is “a 100 percent misinterpretation.”
Historical Examples of perceiving
Perceiving a stranger in the wagon she paused, with a look of embarrassment.
The Works of Whittier, Volume V (of VII)John Greenleaf Whittier
He has been denied the gift—so precious to an artist—of perceiving the ideal.
The Greater InclinationEdith Wharton
Then, on perceiving Hyacinthe, she took possession of him and carried him off into a corner.
The Three Cities Trilogy, CompleteEmile Zola
I said, perceiving, however, the hold I had by my further quotation given him.
Wilfrid CumbermedeGeorge MacDonald
The wayfarer, Perceiving the pathway to truth, Was struck with astonishment.
War is KindStephen Crane
perceive
- 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
Word Origin for perceive
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.
perceive
(pər-sēv′)- To become aware of directly through any of the senses, especially sight or hearing.
- To achieve understanding of; apprehend.