/ap'ri hen"sheuhn/ , n.
1. anticipation of adversity or misfortune; suspicion or fear of future trouble or evil.
2. the faculty or act of apprehending, esp. intuitive understanding; perception on a direct and immediate level.
3. acceptance of or receptivity to information without passing judgment on its validity, often without complete comprehension.
4. a view, opinion, or idea on any subject.
5. the act of arresting; seizure.
[ 1350-1400; ME ( apprehension- (s. of apprehensio ), equiv. to apprehens- (see APPREHENSIBLE) + -ion- -ION ]
Syn. 1. alarm, worry, uneasiness; suspicion. APPREHENSION, ANXIETY, MISGIVING imply an unsettled and uneasy state of mind. APPREHENSION is an active state of fear, usually of some danger or misfortune: apprehension before opening a telegram. ANXIETY is a somewhat prolonged state of apprehensive worry: anxiety because of a reduced income. MISGIVING implies a dubious uncertainty or suspicion, as well as uneasiness: to have misgivings about the investment. 5. capture.
Ant. 1. composure, tranquillity. 5. release.