apprehend
UK: ˌæprɪˈhend | US: ˌæprɪˈhend
vt. to arrest or take into custody
vt. to understand or perceive something mentally
vt. to anticipate with fear or anxiety
The word "apprehend" traces back to Latin apprehendere, combining ad- (toward) and prehendere (to seize). Originally, it conveyed the literal act of seizing (e.g., arresting someone), which later extended metaphorically to "grasping" ideas (understanding) or anticipating events (often anxiously). This dual meaning persists in modern English, illustrating how physical actions evolve into abstract concepts.
The police apprehended the suspect near the train station.
She struggled to apprehend the complexity of the philosophical text.
Many investors apprehend a market downturn due to recent economic trends.
Children quickly apprehend new languages through immersion.
The detective apprehended the subtle clue that others had overlooked.