n.
Pronunciation: ˌ a-pri- ' hen(t)-sh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin apprehension-, apprehensio, from Latin apprehendere
Date: 14th century
1 a : the act or power of perceiving or comprehending <a person of dull apprehension > b : the result of apprehending mentally : CONCEPTION <according to popular apprehension >
2 : seizure by legal process : ARREST < apprehension of a criminal>
3 : suspicion or fear especially of future evil : FOREBODING <an atmosphere of nervous apprehension >