Pronunciation: ˌ ə n-d ə r- ' stand
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -stood \ - ' stu ̇ d \ ; -stand · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English understandan, from under + standan to stand
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a : to grasp the meaning of < understand Russian> b : to grasp the reasonableness of <his behavior is hard to understand > c : to have thorough or technical acquaintance with or expertness in the practice of < understand finance> d : to be thoroughly familiar with the character and propensities of < understand s children>
2 : to accept as a fact or truth or regard as plausible without utter certainty <we understand that he is returning from abroad>
3 : to interpret in one of a number of possible ways
4 : to supply in thought as though expressed < “ to be married ” is commonly understood after the word engaged >
intransitive verb
1 : to have understanding : have the power of comprehension
2 : to achieve a grasp of the nature, significance, or explanation of something
3 : to believe or infer something to be the case
4 : to show a sympathetic or tolerant attitude toward something
– un · der · stand · abil · i · ty \ - ˌ stan-d ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē \ noun
– un · der · stand · able \ - ' stan-d ə -b ə l \ adjective
synonyms UNDERSTAND , COMPREHEND , APPRECIATE mean to have a clear or complete idea of. UNDERSTAND and COMPREHEND are very often interchangeable. UNDERSTAND may, however, stress the fact of having attained a firm mental grasp of something <orders that were fully understood and promptly obeyed>. COMPREHEND may stress the process of coming to grips with something intellectually <I have trouble comprehending your reasons for doing this>. APPRECIATE implies a just evaluation or judgment of a thing's value or nature <failed to appreciate the risks involved>.