ap·pre·hen·sion

ap·pre·hen·sion
/ˌæprıˈhɛnʃən/ noun, pl -sions
1 : fear that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen : a feeling of being worried about the future
[noncount]

The thought of moving to a new city fills me with apprehension.

There is growing apprehension [=fear] that profits will be lower than expected.

[count]

He has apprehensions [=misgivings] about the surgery.

2 formal : the act of apprehending someone or something: such as
2 a : the act of arresting someone for a crime
[noncount]

the sheriff's apprehension of the criminal = the criminal's apprehension by the sheriff

[count]

an increased number of apprehensions

2 b [noncount] somewhat old-fashioned : the act of noticing and understanding something

the apprehension [=perception] of danger


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • pre|hen|sion — «pree HEHN shuhn», noun. 1. the act of taking hold physically; grasping; seizing. 2. Figurative. grasping with the mind; mental apprehension. ╂[< Latin prehēnsiō, ōnis < prehendere to grasp] …   Useful english dictionary

  • ap|pre|hen|sion — «AP rih HEHN shuhn», noun. 1. expectation of misfortune; fear; dread: »The roar of the hurricane filled us with apprehension. Her apprehensions about the dangers of traveling were increased by the accident. 2. the act of seizing or the state of… …   Useful english dictionary

  • com|pre|hen|sion — «KOM prih HEHN shuhn», noun. 1. the act or power of understanding; ability to get the meaning: »Arithmetic is beyond the comprehension of a baby. Why she should leave her family is beyond all comprehension. SYNONYM(S): perception, discernment,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • in|com|pre|hen|sion — «IHN kom prih HEHN shuhn», noun. lack of comprehension or understanding: »She screwed up her face into an urgent snarl of incomprehension (New Yorker) …   Useful english dictionary

  • mis|ap|pre|hen|sion — «MIHS ap rih HEHN shuhn», noun. a misunderstanding; misconception …   Useful english dictionary

  • mis|com|pre|hen|sion — «MIHS kom prih HEHN shuhn», noun. wrong comprehension; mistaken meaning; misunderstanding: »A comedy of miscomprehension that explodes into sudden tragedy (Time) …   Useful english dictionary

  • un|com|pre|hen|sion — «UHN kom prih HEHN shuhn», noun. lack of understanding: »They might as well have come from different worlds, so striking is the uncomprehension between them (Manchester Guardian) …   Useful english dictionary

  • com·pre·hen·sion — /ˌkɑːmprıˈhɛnʃən/ noun : ability to understand [noncount] He has not the slightest comprehension of the subject. [=he does not understand the subject at all] The students showed excellent reading/language comprehension. The war caused suffering… …   Useful english dictionary

  • in·com·pre·hen·sion — /ınˌkɑːmprıˈhɛnʃən/ noun [noncount] : lack of understanding She gave me a look of complete/utter incomprehension. He viewed the situation with incomprehension …   Useful english dictionary

  • mis·ap·pre·hen·sion — /mısˌæprəˈhɛnʃən/ noun, pl sions formal : an incorrect understanding of something : a wrong idea about something [count] He acted on/under the misapprehension that they would change their minds. [=he mistakenly thought that they would change… …   Useful english dictionary

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