/ pəˈsiːv; NAmE pərˈs-/ verb
1.
to notice or become aware of sth :
[ vn ]
I perceived a change in his behaviour.
[ v that ]
She perceived that all was not well.
[ vn to inf ]
The patient was perceived to have difficulty in breathing.
HELP NOTE : This pattern is usually used in the passive.
➡ note at notice
2.
perceive sb/sth (as sth) to understand or think of sb/sth in a particular way
SYN see :
[ vn ]
This discovery was perceived as a major breakthrough.
She did not perceive herself as disabled.
[ vn to inf ]
They were widely perceived to have been unlucky.
➡ note at regard
HELP NOTE : This pattern is usually used in the passive.
••
WORD FAMILY
perceive verb
perception noun
perceptive adjective
perceptible adjective (≠ imperceptible )
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from a variant of Old French perçoivre , from Latin percipere seize, understand, from per- entirely + capere take.