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Dictionary Language resources

apprehend

Pronunciation: /aprɪˈhɛnd/

Translate apprehend | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

Definition of apprehend

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'