I. | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|hen(t)siv, -sēv also -səv adjective
Etymology: Latin comprehensivus, from comprehensus + -ivus -ive
1.
a. : covering a matter under consideration completely or nearly completely : accounting for or comprehending all or virtually all pertinent considerations : inclusive
a comprehensive question
a comprehensive plan
a comprehensive list
a comprehensive index to rare coins
a comprehensive whole
b. of insurance : covering all hazards of a given type with the exception of individual hazards specifically excluded
a comprehensive insurance policy
comprehensive automobile liability
comprehensive coverage
2. : having the power to understand or grasp : of wide mental grasp
a comprehensive head for financial problems
a comprehensive student of racial affairs
a comprehensive knowledge of physics
3.
a. of a school : consolidated
b. of a secondary school : offering a full set of curricula (as college preparatory, commercial, and vocational courses together with extracurricular activities)
a comprehensive high school
4. logic : relating to comprehension : connotative , intensive
• com·pre·hen·sive·ly -sə̇vlē, -li adverb
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a finished or highly detailed layout (as of a proposed advertisement) intended to show how a printed version would appear
2. or comprehensive examination : an examination designed to test general mastery of a broad academic field (as one taken at the end of the sophomore college year to test a student's readiness to specialize or at the end of the senior college year to test a student's mastery of his field of concentration) — often used in plural