apprehensive etymology

Etymology

  • Late Middle English: from Latin apprehendere (past participle apprehensus) ‘to seize, capture’, from ad- ‘to’ + prehendere ‘to grasp’.

Meaning

  • Feeling or showing anxiety or fear about something that may happen.

Origin

The word "apprehensive" first appeared in the English language in the late Middle English period (around the 15th century). It is derived from the Latin verb "apprehendere," which means "to seize" or "to capture." This Latin word is composed of two parts:

  • Ad-: This prefix means "to" or "towards."
  • Prehendere: This verb means "to grasp" or "to seize."

Together, these two parts form the meaning of "apprehendere": to take hold of something. In the context of apprehensive, the word refers to the feeling of being seized by anxiety or fear. It suggests that the individual is anticipating something negative and feels a sense of dread or worry.

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