perceive

[per-seev]

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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.

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

Related formsper·ceiv·ed·ly

[per-see-vid-lee, -seevd-] /pərˈsi vɪd li, -ˈsivd-/, adverbper·ceiv·ed·ness, nounper·ceiv·er, nounper·ceiv·ing·ness, nounnon·per·ceiv·ing, adjectivere·per·ceive, verb (used with object), re·per·ceived, re·per·ceiv·ing.self-per·ceiv·ing, adjectiveun·per·ceived, adjectiveun·per·ceiv·ing, adjectivewell-per·ceived, adjective

Synonyms for perceive

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1. note, discover, observe, descry, distinguish. See notice.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for perceiving

observing, attentive, aware, cognizant, conscious, sensitive

Examples 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.
New Poll Finds Americans Are Worried About Runaway Population Growth
Jerry Karnas
February 28, 2013
If he's perceiving elite anxiety, one can only say: finally.
World to Davos: Will You Admit You Screwed Up?
David Frum
January 28, 2013
Najafi told The Daily Beast that perceiving his song as an insult is “a 100 percent misinterpretation.”
Iranian Rapper Shahin Najafi Faces Death Threats for Song Deemed Insult
Omid Memarian
May 12, 2012

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 Inclination
Edith Wharton
Then, on perceiving Hyacinthe, she took possession of him and carried him off into a corner.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
I said, perceiving, however, the hold I had by my further quotation given him.
Wilfrid Cumbermede
George MacDonald
The wayfarer, Perceiving the pathway to truth, Was struck with astonishment.
War is Kind
Stephen Crane

British Dictionary definitions for perceiving

perceive

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

perceiving in Medicine

perceive

[pər-sēv′]

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.