Perceive Definition

pər-sēv

perceived, perceives, perceiving

verb

perceived, perceives, perceiving

To grasp mentally; take note (of); observe.

Webster's New World

To become aware (of) through one of the senses, esp. through sight.

Webster's New World

To cause or allow the mind to become aware of (a stimulus).

The ear perceives sounds.

American Heritage

To achieve understanding of; apprehend.

Einstein perceived that energy and matter are equivalent.

American Heritage

To regard or consider; deem.

An old technology that is still perceived as useful; a politician who is perceived to be a dissembler.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Origin of Perceive

From Middle English perceiven, from Old French percevoir, perceveir, from Latin percipere, past participle perceptus (“take hold of, obtain, receive, observe"), from per (“by, through") + capere (“to take"); see capable. Compare conceive, deceive, receive.

From Wiktionary
Middle English perceiven from Old French perceivre from Latin percipere per- per- capere to seize kap- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition