/ ˌæprɪˈhend; NAmE / verb [ vn ] ( formal )
1.
( of the police ) to catch sb and arrest them
2.
( old-fashioned ) to understand or recognize sth
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (originally in the sense grasp, get hold of (physically or mentally) ): from French appréhender or Latin apprehendere , from ad- towards + prehendere lay hold of.