UNDERSTAND


Meaning of UNDERSTAND in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˌən-dər-ˈstand ]

verb

( un·der·stood -ˈstu̇d ; -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 -ˌstan-də-ˈbi-lə-tē noun

• un·der·stand·able -ˈstan-də-bəl 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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.