prehension
Americannoun
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the act of seizing or grasping.
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mental apprehension.
noun
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the act of grasping
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apprehension by the senses or the mind
Etymology
Origin of prehension
1525–35; < Latin prehēnsiōn- (stem of prehēnsiō ) a taking hold, equivalent to prehēns ( us ) (past participle of prehendere to seize, equivalent to pre- pre- + -hendere to grasp; akin to get ) + -iōn- -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But last week Philadelphia's Dr. William Likoff somberly warned the AHA that the "mild coronary" may have more cause for ap prehension than for gratitude.
From Time Magazine Archive
But public ap prehension about the possible dangers of chemical insect killers is now shielding the hungry worms from DDT and other long-lasting poisons.
From Time Magazine Archive
It also serves, as we have before seen, for prehension and suction, and as a tactile organ.
From The formation of vegetable mould through the action of worms, with observations on their habits by Darwin, Charles
It accords with the principle of the division of physiological labour, which prevails throughout the animal kingdom, that 142as the hands became perfected for prehension, the feet should have become perfected for support and locomotion.
From The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, Vol. I by Darwin, Charles
In Sepia, Sepiola and Rossia, each of these long arms is withdrawn into a pouch beside the head, and is only ejected for the purpose of prehension.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6 "Celtes, Konrad" to "Ceramics" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
