apprehend etymology

Etymology

• Latin: apprehendere (to seize, lay hold of, understand)
• ad- (to) + prehendere (to seize, grasp)
• Proto-Indo-European: *preh₂- (to take, grasp)

Meaning

• To seize or capture
• To understand or grasp mentally

Origin

The Latin verb apprehendere was formed from the prefix ad- (to) and the verb prehendere (to seize, grasp). The latter verb comes from the Proto-Indo-European root preh₂- (to take, grasp), which is also the ancestor of English words such as prehensile and apprehension.

Apprehend entered English in the 14th century directly from Latin. It has been used since then with both of its current meanings, "to seize or capture" and "to understand or grasp mentally."

apprehend relate terms

• apprentice

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• apprehend

  Etymology Latin apprehendere to seize lay hold of understand ad to prehendere

• apprehensible

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• apprehend

  Etymology Latin apprehendere to seize lay hold of understand ad to prehendere

• apprehensive

  Etymology Late Middle English from Latin apprehendere past participle apprehensus

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  Etymology The word catch comes from the Middle English word cacchen which itself der

• comprehend

  Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It involves tracing

• ring

  Etymology The word ring derives from the Old English word hring which is cognate wit

• nail

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