verb
comprehend
kahm-prih-HEND/ˌkɑːmprɪˈhend/
To understand the meaning or importance of something.
She comprehends the mechanism and fits the final cog correctly.
Etymology
With com- probably meaning “completely” here, the image is of seizing or taking hold of something fully. Latin already applied this physical action to the mind: understanding was a kind of mental grasp.
In context
Caryll transcribed the inhuman utterings of the great ones into what we now call Caryll Runes. In true Lovecraftian fashion, it is really likely that it's impossible for humans to comprehend the speech of the great ones
More examples
- He comprehended the explanation.
- They are comprehending the problem more fully.
- The child comprehends the rule.
Forms
comprehend · comprehends · comprehended · comprehending
comprehension noun — understanding
Similar words
- understand
- The everyday direct equivalent.
- apprehend
- A more formal word for grasping meaning.