Apprehendingly

/ˌæprɪˈhendɪŋli/ adverb

Definition

In a manner involving understanding or with anxiety about something.

Etymology

From apprehending (present participle of apprehend) + -ly suffix. The word can mean 'with comprehension' or 'with apprehension/worry' depending on which sense of apprehend is emphasized. The -ly ending comes from Old English -lice.

Kelly Says

This word reveals a linguistic accident: apprehension means both 'understanding' and 'anxiety,' so 'apprehendingly' could mean you're learning something OR you're nervously worried—the exact opposite meanings from one word!

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