To recognize the good qualities or value of something, or to understand and be grateful for it; also means to increase in value over time.
From Late Latin 'appretiare,' combining 'ad-' (to) and 'pretium' (price or value). The root emphasizes assigning or recognizing worth. It entered English in the 1600s and developed both the 'gratitude' and 'financial gain' meanings.
Appreciate has a hidden time dimension—you can appreciate someone's help immediately (emotional meaning), but your house appreciates slowly over decades (financial meaning). Both use the core idea of 'increasing in worth,' just operating on different timescales.
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