rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: prehendere
Latin

prehendere

to seize, grasp

4 / 6
A man forcibly snatches a handbag from a resisting wheelchair user while a stern witness intervenes.
adjective

reprehensible

rep-rih-HEN-suh-bul/ˌreprɪˈhensəbl/

Morally wrong and deserving strong criticism.

Etymology
reLatinback, again; restoration or reversal
+prehensLatinto grasp, seize
+ibleLatinable or suitable to be

The underlying image is grasping and holding back. The Latin verb also meant blaming or rebuking, so reprehensible describes something deserving that censure, not merely something capable of being restrained.

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