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comprehend definition

com·pre·hend (käm′prē hend′, -pri-)

transitive verb

  1. to grasp mentally; understand
  2. to include; take in; comprise

Etymology: ME comprehenden < L comprehendere < com-, with + prehendere, to catch hold of, seize: see prehensile

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

comprehend Synonyms

comprehend

v.

  1. To include

    contain, comprise, embrace; see include 1, involve.

  2. To understand

    grasp, discern, perceive; see know 1, understand 1. See syn. study at include, understand.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

comprehend Usage Examples

Object

  • enormity: I could not try to comprehend the enormity of what I had witnessed.

Subject

  • mind: This field of invincibility cannot be comprehended by the mind or intellect; it must be experienced directly.

Adjective complement

  • more: In understanding these subjects, we come close to comprehending so much more about its national life today.

Modifying Another Word

  • barely: Some experts believe the day will come when Czechs will barely comprehend their Slavic neighbors.

Used with why or when

  • why: He stated he could not comprehend why these meetings seem to be held in secret.

Preposition: with

  • saint: May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 18.

Preposition: by

  • mind: This field of invincibility cannot be comprehended by the mind or intellect; it must be experienced directly.
comprehend usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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"comprehend." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 3 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/comprehend>

APA Style

comprehend. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 3rd, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/comprehend

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