ˌəndə(r)ˈstand, -aa(ə)nd verb
( un·der·stood -tu̇d ; understood or archaic understanded ; understanding ; understands )
Etymology: Middle English understanden, understonden, from Old English understandan, understondan, from under (I) + standan, stondan to stand — more at stand
transitive verb
1. : to grasp the meaning of : comprehend: as
a. : to apprehend the meaning or idea of by knowing what is conveyed by the words or signs used
understand Russian
understand a message in code
understand a wink
a tongue not understanded of the people — Book of Com. Prayer
b. : to grasp the reasonable or logical character of : interpret or explain successfully to oneself
I can understand why he was disappointed
his behavior is hard to understand
must be made to understand the importance of this step
c. : to make out clearly the speech of
spoke in such a thick accent no one could understand him
d. : to have thorough or technical acquaintance with or expertness in the practice of
being well infomed about science is not the same thing as understanding science — J.B.Conant
understand finance
master builders had to understand both carpentry and stonework — G.B.Saul
e. : to be thoroughly familiar with the character or essential nature and propensities of
need someone who understands children
liked him better when he came to understand him better
2.
a. : to know, consider, or accept as a fact, truth, or principle without further mention or explanation or without utter certainty
understood that customary procedures obtained
b. : to consider as a possible fact : infer or come to regard as plausible or probable without certain knowledge or proof : know through rumor or hearsay
we understand that he is returning from abroad next week
was understood to be in favor of the plan
c. : to accept as established or laid down as a condition whether or not explicitly stated
am I to understand that your refusal is final
3. : to regard in a particular way or with a particular meaning in mind : interpret in a single one of a number of possible ways
by the money price of goods … I understand always the quantity of pure gold or silver for which they are sold — Adam Smith
by poetical colors the neoclassicist understands words, elegant phrases, figures of speech — Irving Babbitt
4. : to supply in thought as if present : take as meant though not expressed
the phrase “to be married” is commonly understood after the word engaged
understand the subject of an imperative
5. archaic : to be familiar with : recognize from previous knowledge
abundance of kinds of creatures that we did not understand — Daniel Defoe
6. obsolete : to know how to conduct (oneself) properly
7. obsolete : to prop up : support
intransitive verb
1. : to have the use of the intellectual faculties : have the power of comprehension
2. : to achieve a mental grasp of the nature, significance, or casual explanation of something
the more he was educated, the less he understood — Henry Adams
doubt if they really can understand about politics — Christopher Hollis
3. : to show a sympathetic or tolerant or indulgent attitude toward something
she relied on him to understand and sympathize — John Galsworthy
Synonyms:
comprehend , appreciate : understand and comprehend are very often interchangeable. For very wide and general concepts understand is more likely to be used than comprehend
understand Shakespeare's preeminence
comprehend the dramatic action of Macbeth
to understand the present institutions, we must therefore comprehend something of their history — J.B.Conant
understand is wider in its use, ranging from the mere physical act of sensory perception or very casual consideration to a full and profound realization of inner nature, rationale, or significance
the racket prevented my understanding the telephone operator
when you throw an apple upward and let it fall … the mechanics of the thing … seem natural; you understand them without even using your intellect — Wolfgang Langewiesche
those enlightened ones who in the clear beam of their purified vision beheld and understood the sorrows, the struggles, the vain angers and hatreds of imperfect mortality — Laurence Binyon
comprehend may focus attention on thought processes rather than their conclusions
with that terrible earnestness Woodrow Wilson was trying to comprehend the problem — W.A.White
comprehend may stand between sense or feel and understand in suggesting less reflection and analysis than the latter
dissimilar as her parents had appeared to be, there was a bond between them which Dorinda felt without comprehending — Ellen Glasgow
appreciate stresses full and just perception, especially of value, arrived at with insight and discrimination
I could not appreciate its excellence, having no background of previous displays to use for purposes of comparison — Robert Graves
fully to appreciate the American experience … would require a rehearsal of the whole of American history — H.S.Commager
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- give one to understand
- understand each other