perceive
UK: pəˈsiːv | US: pərˈsiːv
vt. to become aware of or recognize something through the senses
vt. to interpret or understand something in a particular way
perceive = per<through> + ceive<take>
- per (Latin per): "through" or "completely." In modern usage, it often intensifies the meaning of the root.
- ceive (Latin capere): "to take" or "to seize." This root appears in words like receive, deceive, and conceive.
Etymology Origin:
The word perceive originates from Latin percipere (per- "thoroughly" + capere "to take"). It originally meant "to seize entirely" or "to grasp mentally," reflecting the idea of fully taking in sensory or intellectual information. Over time, its meaning narrowed to focus on awareness and interpretation, aligning with its modern use in psychology and philosophy.
Humans perceive colors differently depending on cultural background.
She perceived a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
The artist’s work challenges how we perceive reality.
Dogs can perceive sounds at frequencies humans cannot hear.
His theory was widely perceived as groundbreaking.