Prehensile
/prɪˈhɛn.saɪl/noun
Able to grasp or seize, especially by wrapping around or holding with a limb or tail.
Did you know?Its root is the Latin verb *prehendere*, “to seize,” which also gave English words like *apprehend* and *comprehend*—so the idea of “grasping” has always lived in both the body and the mind.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
prehendere
“to seize, take hold of, capture”
Late Latin
Latin
prehensilis
“able to be seized or grasped”
16th Century
English
prehensile
“capable of grasping or holding”
Modern English
English
prehensile
“able to grasp or seize, especially with a tail or limb”
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