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prehensile

 - 6 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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Science Dictionary
prehensile   (prē-hěn'səl)  Pronunciation Key 
Adapted for seizing, grasping, or holding, especially by wrapping around an object. The feet of many birds, the tails of monkeys, and the trunks of elephants are prehensile.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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