Prehensive
/prɪˈhɛn.sɪv/noun
Relating to apprehension or the act of grasping, especially mentally or intellectually.
Did you know?Prehensive belongs to the same Latin word-family as apprehend and comprehend, preserving an ancient metaphor in which the mind literally “grabs” an idea.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ghrendh-
“To seize, grasp, or take hold of”
Classical Latin
Latin
prehendere
“To seize, grasp, catch, or apprehend”
Late Latin
Latin
prehensivus
“Serving to grasp or apprehend”
17th Century
English
prehensive
“Relating to apprehension or intellectual grasping”
Modern English
English
prehensive
“Concerned with apprehending, grasping, or understanding”
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