— appreciatingly , adv. — appreciator , n.
/euh pree"shee ayt'/ , v. , appreciated, appreciating .
1. to be grateful or thankful for: They appreciated his thoughtfulness.
v.t.
2. to value or regard highly; place a high estimate on: to appreciate good wine.
3. to be fully conscious of; be aware of; detect: to appreciate the dangers of a situation.
4. to raise in value.
v.i.
5. to increase in value: Property values appreciated yearly.
[ 1645-55; appreciatus valued, appraised, LL appretiatus (ptp. of appretiare ) appraised, equiv. to L ap- AP- 1 + preti ( um ) PRICE + -atus -ATE 1 ]
Syn. 2. APPRECIATE, ESTEEM, PRIZE, VALUE imply holding something in high regard. TO APPRECIATE is to exercise wise judgment, delicate perception, and keen insight in realizing the worth of something. TO ESTEEM is to feel respect combined with a warm, kindly feeling. TO VALUE is to attach importance to a thing because of its worth (material or otherwise). TO PRIZE is to value highly and cherish.