| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|hen(t)siv, -ēv also -əv adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin apprehensivus, from Latin apprenhensus + -ivus -ive
1. archaic : serving for apprehension
2. : capable of apprehending or quick to do so : apt , discerning
a kind and apprehensive friend — Nathaniel Hawthorne
3. : having apprehension : knowing , conscious , cognizant
apprehensive of one's youthful folly
4. : anticipative of something unfavorable : fearful of what may be coming : in dread of possible evil or harm
apprehensive of danger
apprehensive for one's life
5. : relating to the faculty of apprehension
judgment is implied in every apprehensive act — William Hamilton †1856
• ap·pre·hen·sive·ly adverb
• ap·pre·hen·sive·ness noun -es