apprehend

 
Pronunciation: /aprɪˈhɛnd/

verb

[with object]
  • 1arrest (someone) for a crime: a warrant was issued but he has not been apprehended
  • 2understand or perceive: we enter a field of vision we could not otherwise apprehend
  • archaic anticipate (something) with uneasiness or fear: he is a man that apprehends death no more dreadfully but as a drunken sleep

Origin:

late Middle English (originally in the sense 'grasp, get hold of (physically or mentally')): from French appréhender or Latin apprehendere, from ad- 'towards' + prehendere 'lay hold of'