*comprehen*

adj. able to be understood. Opposite of incomprehensible. [ Narrower terms: clear, distinct ] Also See: clear, explicable, fathomable, intelligible.
Syn. -- comprehensible. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. The quality or state of being comprehensible; capability of being understood. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. comprehensibilis: cf. F. compreéhensible. ] 1. Capable of being comprehended, included, or comprised. [ 1913 Webster ]

Lest this part of knowledge should seem to any not comprehensible by axiom, we will set down some heads of it. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Capable of being understood; intelligible; conceivable by the mind. [ 1913 Webster ]

The horizon sets the bounds . . . between what is and what is not comprehensible by us. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being comprehensible; comprehensibility. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. With great extent of signification; comprehensively. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Intelligibly; in a manner to be comprehended or understood. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. comprehensio: cf. F. compréhension. ] 1. The act of comprehending, containing, or comprising; inclusion. [ 1913 Webster ]

In the Old Testament there is a close comprehension of the New; in the New, an open discovery of the Old. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is comprehended or inclosed within narrow limits; a summary; an epitome. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Though not a catalogue of fundamentals, yet . . . a comprehension of them. Chillingworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Logic) The complement of attributes which make up the notion signified by a general term. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (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. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. compréhensif. ] 1. Including much; comprising many things; having a wide scope or a full view. [ 1913 Webster ]

A very comprehensive definition. Bentley. [ 1913 Webster ]

Large and comprehensive idea. Channing. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having the power to comprehend or understand many things. “His comprehensive head.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) Possessing peculiarities that are characteristic of several diverse groups. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The term is applied chiefly to early fossil groups which have a combination of structures that appear in more fully developed or specialized forms in later groups. Synthetic, as used by Agassiz, is nearly synonymous.

Syn. -- Extensive; wide; large; full; compendious. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a comprehensive manner; with great extent of scope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being comprehensive; extensiveness of scope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Compare the beauty and comprehensiveness of legends on ancient coins. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who comprehends; one who has attained to a full knowledge. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

When I shall have dispatched this weary pilgrimage, and from a traveler shall come to be a comprehensor, farewell faith and welcome vision. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. incomprehensus. ] Incomprehensible. [ Obs. ] “Incomprehense in virtue.” Marston. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. incompréhensibilité. ] The quality of being incomprehensible, or beyond the reach of human intellect; incomprehensibleness; inconceivability; inexplicability. [ 1913 Webster ]

The constant, universal sense of all antiquity unanimously confessing an incomprehensibility in many of the articles of the Christian faith. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. incomprehensibilis: cf. F. incompréhensible. See In- not, and Comprehensible. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Not capable of being contained within limits. [ 1913 Webster ]

An infinite and incomprehensible substance. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not capable of being comprehended or understood; beyond the reach of the human intellect; inconceivable. [ 1913 Webster ]

And all her numbered stars that seem to roll
Spaces incomprehensible. Milton.

-- In*com`pre*hen"si*ble*ness, n. -- In*com`pre*hen"si*bly, adv. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Lack of comprehension or understanding. “These mazes and incomprehensions.” Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Not comprehensive; not capable of including or of understanding; not extensive; limited. -- In*com`pre*hen"sive*ly, a. Sir W. Hamilton. -- In*com`pre*hen"sive*ness, n. T. Warton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To get a wrong idea of or about; to misunderstand. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ 1st un- + comprehend. ] To fail to comprehend. [ R. ] Daniel. [ 1913 Webster ]