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Definition of prehensile - 5 dictionary results

pre⋅hen⋅sile

  [pri-hen-sil, -sahyl]
Use prehensile in a Sentence
–adjective
1. adapted for seizing, grasping, or taking hold of something: a prehensile tail.
2. able to perceive quickly; having keen mental grasp.
3. greedy; grasping; avaricious.
Origin:
1781–85; < F préhensile (coined by Buffon), equiv. to L prehens(us) (see prehension ) + F -ile -ile

Related forms:
pre⋅hen⋅sil⋅i⋅ty  [pree-hen-sil-i-tee] , noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pre·hen·sile   (prē-hěn'səl, -sīl')   
adj.  

  1. Adapted for seizing, grasping, or holding, especially by wrapping around an object: a monkey's prehensile tail.

  2. Having keen intellect; insightful.

  3. Greedy; grasping.


[French préhensile, from Latin prehēnsus, past participle of prehendere, to grasp; see ghend- in Indo-European roots.]
pre'hen·sil'i·ty (-sĭl'ĭ-tē) n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

prehensile 
1781, from Fr. préhensile (Buffon), from L. prehensus, pp. of prehendere "to grasp, to seize," from præ- "before" + -hendere, related to hedera "ivy," via notion of "clinging," and cognate with Gk. khandanein "to take in, hold" (see get).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: pre·hen·sile
Pronunciation: prE-'hen(t)-s&l, -'hen-"sIl
Function: adjective
: adapted for seizing or grasping especially bywrapping around <prehensile tail> —pre·hen·sil·i·ty /(")prE-"hen-'sil-&t-E/ noun plural -ties
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

prehensile pre·hen·sile (prē-hěn'səl, -sīl')
adj.
Adapted for seizing, grasping, or holding, especially by wrapping around an object.

pre'hen·sil'i·ty (-sĭl'ĭ-tē) n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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