Apprehendable

/ˌæprɪˈhendəbəl/ adjective

Definition

Able to be understood, grasped mentally, or arrested and captured.

Etymology

From apprehend + -able suffix. Apprehend comes from Latin apprehendere (to grasp, seize), from ad- + prehendere (to take, seize). The -able suffix means 'capable of being.' The word carries both mental and physical meanings from its Latin root.

Kelly Says

The dual meaning—'graspable by mind' and 'graspable by law enforcement'—comes from the same Latin root because Romans saw understanding and physical capture as parallel acts of control!

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.