PREHENSILE


Meaning of PREHENSILE in English

adj.

Pronunciation: pr ē - ' hen(t)-s ə l, - ' hen- ˌ s ī (- ə )l

Function: adjective

Etymology: French préhensile, from Latin prehensus, past participle of prehendere to seize ― more at GET

Date: circa 1785

1 : adapted for seizing or grasping especially by wrapping around < prehensile tail>

2 : gifted with mental grasp or moral or aesthetic perception

– pre · hen · sil · i · ty \ ( ˌ )pr ē - ˌ hen- ' si-l ə -t ē \ noun

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.