Apprehend

Pronunciation: /ˌæprɪˈhɛnd/

Definitions of apprehend

verb to understand or perceive something

Example Sentences

A1 The police apprehended the thief before he could escape.

A2 It is important for law enforcement to apprehend criminals quickly.

B1 The detective was able to apprehend the suspect after a long investigation.

B2 The security guard apprehended the shoplifter as he tried to leave the store.

C1 The undercover agent apprehended the terrorist before he could carry out the attack.

C2 The special forces unit was able to apprehend the fugitive after a daring mission.

Examples of apprehend in a Sentence

formal The police were able to apprehend the suspect after a lengthy investigation.

informal The cops finally caught the guy they were after.

slang The authorities nabbed the criminal before he could escape.

figurative I could feel the truth trying to apprehend me as I struggled to deny it.

Grammatical Forms of apprehend

• past tense: apprehended
• plural: apprehend
• comparative: more apprehensive
• superlative: most apprehensive
• present tense: apprehend
• future tense: will apprehend
• perfect tense: have apprehended
• continuous tense: is apprehending
• singular: apprehends
• positive degree: apprehend
• infinitive: to apprehend
• gerund: apprehending
• participle: apprehending

Origin and Evolution of apprehend

First Known Use: 0014 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'apprehend' originated from the Latin word 'apprehendere', which means 'to grasp or seize'.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'apprehend' evolved to also mean 'to understand or perceive', in addition to its original meaning of 'to seize or arrest'.