PERCEIVE

v. 1 see, make out, discern, catch sight of, glimpse, spot, espy, apprehend, take in, notice, note, discover, descry, observe, mark, remark, identify, distinguish, detect I perceived his hesitation when a solo flight was suggested She perceived a strange odour emanating from the cupboard. 2 appreciate, grasp, feel, sense, apprehend, understand, gather, comprehend, deduce, infer, figure out, ascertain, determine, conclude, decipher, Colloq dig, catch on She perceived that he was going to renege on his promise to take her to the Riviera 3 Often, perceive of. regard, view, look on, consider, contemplate, judge, deem, believe, think Calthorpe perceives of himself as a great actor, but he is dreadful This gesture is often perceived as threatening.