COMPREHENSION • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Comprehension

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/kˌɑmprihˈɛnʃən/ Listen

noun

Comprehension n.

The act of comprehending, containing, or comprising; inclusion. "In the Old Testament there is a close comprehension of the New; in the New, an open discovery of the Old."

That which is comprehended or inclosed within narrow limits; a summary; an epitome. (Obs.) "Though not a catalogue of fundamentals, yet... a comprehension of them."

The capacity of the mind to perceive and understand; the power, act, or process of grasping with the intellect; perception; understanding; as, a comprehension of abstract principles.

(Logic) The complement of attributes which make up the notion signified by a general term.

(Rhet.) A figure by which the name of a whole is put for a part, or that of a part for a whole, or a definite number for an indefinite.

See images of 'Comprehension'

Etymology of 'Comprehension'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Comprehension" Quotes from Famous Books

... fell to the ground. He held her wrist; he felt only the magnetic touch, looked into her eyes, and understood. From wonder at his outburst they passed to fear, to appeal, to love. Yes, they shrank from him, sick with shame and self-comprehension, pitifully seeking to hide the wound. But it would not by any means be hid. A light ...

— Fort Amity • Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch

... Spirit of God. Well, that's enough for me. I know it of myself, and I believe you know it of yourself, and everybody knows it of themselves or himself; and why you can't be satisfied with that, passes my comprehension. As if one hasn't got puzzles enough, and bothers enough, under one's nose, without going a-field after a lot of metaphysical quibbles. No, I'm wrong,—not going a-field,—anything one has to go ...

— Tom Brown at Oxford • Thomas Hughes

... It was not so much that Dale helped him with his grammar and construing (for Dale thought every boy should make shift to do his own business) as that he liked to talk about his work, even with a younger boy; and so, as he said, clear his head. A great deal that he said was above Hugh's comprehension; and much of his repetitions mere words: but there were other matters which fixed Hugh's attention, and proved to him that study might be interesting out of school. When Dale had a theme to write, the two boys often walked up and down the playground for ...

— The Crofton Boys • Harriet Martineau

... in the man passed comprehension. But so did most of Victor's whims and ways. What riddle more obscure than that portentous business which permeated the atmosphere of the establishment with the taint of stealth and terror?—the famous "research work" that kept Victor closeted with Sturm in his study daily for hours ...

— Red Masquerade • Louis Joseph Vance

... with a quick comprehension of all the other's speech implied, and pushed a chair towards his visitor, who sat down and resumed his watch of the young man at the alcove table. Colwyn bestowed a swift glance on his companion which took in everything. The tall man in glasses looked too human for a lawyer, ...

— The Shrieking Pit • Arthur J. Rees

More quotes...