v.
Pronunciation: ˌ a-pri- ' hend
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin apprehendere, literally, to seize, from ad- + prehendere to seize ― more at GET
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1 : ARREST , SEIZE < apprehend a thief>
2 a : to become aware of : PERCEIVE b : to anticipate especially with anxiety, dread, or fear
3 : to grasp with the understanding : recognize the meaning of
intransitive verb : UNDERSTAND , GRASP