comprehend

[kom-pri-hend] /ˌkɒm prɪˈhɛnd/
verb (used with object)
1.
to understand the nature or meaning of; grasp with the mind; perceive:
He did not comprehend the significance of the ambassador's remark.
2.
to take in or embrace; include; comprise:
The course will comprehend all facets of Japanese culture.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English comprehenden < Latin comprehendere, equivalent to com- com- + prehendere to grasp; see prehensile
Related forms
comprehender, noun
comprehendingly, adverb
noncomprehending, adjective
noncomprehendingly, adverb
precomprehend, verb (used with object)
self-comprehending, adjective
uncomprehended, adjective
uncomprehending, adjective
uncomprehendingly, adverb
well-comprehended, adjective
Can be confused
apprehend, comprehend.
Synonyms
1. See know1 . 2. See include.
Examples from the web for comprehend
  • In order to comprehend how this can happen, it is necessary to understand some basic immunology.
  • We need to know who he was, to understand his life and work, in order to comprehend our own revolutionary culture.
  • Students often don't understand what they have signed, parents don't comprehend, and that is what is intended.
  • Also, traditional scientists want to understand and comprehend what they are studying, using their own human brains.
  • Helping people understand and relate to the world around them, and comprehend their impact on the environment.
  • They can't listen, can't comprehend their own insanity.
  • Floyd was too lazy to pitch and he didn't care who was captain, because he didn't fully comprehend what that meant.
  • And then there was his inability to comprehend the despair and self-negation he inflicted on others.
  • At first, the group fails to comprehend where they are or why they're there.
  • Good phonic instruction leads to rapid, fluent decoding, without which students cannot comprehend text.
British Dictionary definitions for comprehend

comprehend

/ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnd/
verb
1.
to perceive or understand
2.
(transitive) to comprise or embrace; include
Word Origin
C14: from Latin comprehendere, from prehendere to seize
Word Origin and History for comprehend
v.

mid-14c., "to understand," from Latin comprehendere "to take together, to unite; include; seize" (of catching fire or the arrest of criminals); also "to comprehend, perceive" (to seize or take in the mind), from com- "completely" (see com-) + prehendere "to catch hold of, seize" (see prehensile). Related: Comprehended; comprehending.