comprehend Copy link Outline I. To contain, include (q. v.)1. contĭneo2. amplector, plexus, 33. complector, plexus, 34. pōno, pŏsui, pŏsĭtum, 3 (esp. of arranging or classifying)II. To understand, grasp mentally1. tĕneo, ui, ntum, 2 (to have hold of)2. complector, plexus, 3 (with some defining word such as mente, cogitatione, etc.)3. căpio, cēpi, captum, 3 (to take in, receive)4. percĭpio, 3 (often with animo, etc.)5. cerno, crēvi, crētum, 3 (to see clearly, discern)6. comprĕhendo or comprendo, di, sum, 3 (lit. to grasp7. intellĭgo, 3 • comprehend: I. To contain, include (q. v.): 1. contĭneo: v. to comprise. 2. amplector, plexus, 3: which we sometimes c. under the name of virtue, quod interdum virtutis nomine amplectimur, Cic.: I do not wish to c. all subjects in my verses, non ego cuncta meis a. versibus opto, Virg. 3. complector, plexus, 3: Cic.: Quint.: v. to embrace. 4. pōno, pŏsui, pŏsĭtum, 3 (esp. of arranging or classifying): to c. riches among good things, divitias in bonis p., Cic. II. To understand, grasp mentally: 1. tĕneo, ui, ntum, 2 (to have hold of): now I c., now I know what this business is, nunc ego t., nunc scio quid sit hoc negotii, Pl.: to c. abstruse meanings, reconditos sensus t., Cic.: by what means I might c. everything, quo pacto cuncta tenerem, Hor. 2. complector, plexus, 3 (with some defining word such as mente, cogitatione, etc.): to c. in thought the divine mind, animum divinum cogitatione c., Cic.; simly, cogitatione et mente c., Cic. 3. căpio, cēpi, captum, 3 (to take in, receive): he alone c.'d the true idea of the Roman senate, unus veram speciem Romani senatus cepit, Liv.: more usu. in connection with some such word as mens, cogitatio, etc.: what they [their minds] could c., quod mentes eorum c. possent, Liv.: Cic.: to understand or c. (a speech), intelligere vel c., Quint. 4. percĭpio, 3 (often with animo, etc.): to c. and know a thing, rem p. et cognoscere, Cic.: also, p. et comprehendere, Cic. 5. cerno, crēvi, crētum, 3 (to see clearly, discern): a man of acute intellect c.s these things, eas res acri vir ingenio c., Cic. 6. comprĕhendo or comprendo, di, sum, 3 (lit. to grasp: hence usu. with some such word as mente, animo, etc.): to understand and in thought c. what the mind free from the body is, qualis animus sit vacuus corpore animo intelligere et cogitatione c., Cic.: I cannot c. what you mean, id quod tu vis non possum mente c., Cic. 7. intellĭgo, 3: v. to understand.