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definitions

understanding

[uhn-der-stan-ding]
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noun

adjective

characterized by understanding; prompted by, based on, or demonstrating comprehension, intelligence, discernment, empathy, or the like: an understanding attitude.

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RELATED WORDS

delicately, politely, helpfully, tenderly, sympathetically, generously, graciously, genially, affectionately, warmly, kindly, appreciatively, agreeably, carefully, cordially, courteously, well, benevolently, benignly, charitably

Origin of understanding

before 1050; Middle English understandynge, late Old English understandincge (noun). See understand, -ing1, -ing2
Related formsun·der·stand·ing·ly, adverbnon·un·der·stand·ing, adjective, nounnon·un·der·stand·ing·ly, adverbself-un·der·stand·ing, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for understandingly

Historical Examples of understandingly

  • Peppajee grinned briefly and understandingly, and nodded his head.

    Good Indian

    B. M. Bower

  • Silently, understandingly, they winged onward into the morning light.

    Spawn of the Comet

    Harold Thompson Rich

  • Mrs. Meredith had intuition, and read men as she read books, understandingly.

    The Plunderer

    Roy Norton

  • Looking at him understandingly she saw that there had been lines of pain about the firm mouth.

    Olive in Italy

    Moray Dalton

  • Her child's eye turned to her sorrowfully and understandingly.

    The Carpenter's Daughter

    Anna Bartlett Warner

British Dictionary definitions for understandingly

understanding

noun

the ability to learn, judge, make decisions, etc; intelligence or sense
personal opinion or interpretation of a subjectmy understanding of your predicament
a mutual agreement or compact, esp an informal or private one
mainly British an unofficial engagement to be married
philosophy archaic the mind, esp the faculty of reason
on the understanding that with the condition that; providing

adjective

sympathetic, tolerant, or wise towards people
possessing judgment and intelligence
Derived Formsunderstandingly, adverb
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 understandingly

understanding

n.

Old English understandincge "comprehension," from understand (q.v.). Meaning "mutual agreement" is attested from 1803.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper