comprehension etymology

Etymology

The word "comprehension" comes from the Latin word "comprehendere," which means "to grasp with the mind" or "to understand." It is derived from the prefix "com," meaning "together," and "prehendere," meaning "to seize" or "to take hold of."

Meaning

Comprehension refers to the process or ability of understanding the meaning of a text, speech, or event. It involves extracting information, making inferences, and connecting ideas to form a coherent mental representation.

Origin

The concept of comprehension has been studied by philosophers, linguists, and psychologists for centuries. In ancient Greece, philosophers such as Aristotle emphasized the importance of understanding in the acquisition of knowledge and the development of logical reasoning.

In the Middle Ages, scholars used the term "intellectus" to refer to the cognitive process of understanding. This term was later translated into Latin as "comprehensio," which became the precursor to the modern word "comprehension."

During the Renaissance, the emphasis on understanding and the scientific method led to a renewed interest in the study of comprehension. Humanists such as Erasmus of Rotterdam argued that true education required comprehension rather than rote memorization.

In the 20th century, cognitive psychologists conducted extensive research on comprehension, focusing on the processes involved in extracting meaning from text and speech. This work led to the development of models of comprehension, such as the information processing model and the schema theory.

Today, comprehension is recognized as a fundamental skill for language acquisition, critical thinking, and learning in general.

comprehension relate terms

  • incomprehension

    Etymology in Latin Meaning not or lacking comprehendere Latin Meaning to gr

  • comprehension

    Etymology The word comprehension comes from the Latin word comprehendere which means

  • apprehension

    Etymology Late Middle English in the sense act of arresting or seizing via Old

  • mystic

    Etymology The word mystic is derived from the Greek word mystikos meaning secret

  • broad minded

    Etymology Broad adj wide extensive spacious liberal tolerant Mind n the c

  • abase

    Etymology The word abase comes from the Old French word abasser which in turn comes

  • complication

    Etymology Latin complicatio from complicare to fold together French complic

  • conception

    Etymology The word conception derives from the Latin conceptio which means taking t

  • discernment

    Etymology Old French discernement Latin discernere to separate distinguish Proto

  • savvy

    Etymology The word savvy is derived from the French verb savoir meaning to know

  • missionary

    Etymology Latin missionarius from missīo sending forth expedition Old French