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understand

 - 4 dictionary results

un⋅der⋅stand

  [uhn-der-stand] verb, -stood, -stand⋅ing.
Use understand in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to perceive the meaning of; grasp the idea of; comprehend: to understand Spanish; I didn't understand your question.
2. to be thoroughly familiar with; apprehend clearly the character, nature, or subtleties of: to understand a trade.
3. to assign a meaning to; interpret: He understood her suggestion as a complaint.
4. to grasp the significance, implications, or importance of: He does not understand responsibility.
5. to regard as firmly communicated; take as agreed or settled: I understand that you will repay this loan in 30 days.
6. to learn or hear: I understand that you are going out of town.
7. to accept as true; believe: I understand that you are trying to be truthful, but you are wrong.
8. to construe in a particular way: You are to understand the phrase literally.
9. to supply mentally (something that is not expressed).
–verb (used without object)
10. to perceive what is meant; grasp the information conveyed: She told them about it in simple words, hoping they would understand.
11. to accept tolerantly or sympathetically: If you can't do it, I'll understand.
12. to have knowledge or background, as on a particular subject: He understands about boats.
13. to have a systematic interpretation or rationale, as in a field or area of knowledge: He can repeat every rule in the book, but he just doesn't understand.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME understanden, understonden, OE understondan; c. D onderstaan. See under-, stand

Synonyms:
1. See know 1 .
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To understand
un·der·stand   (ŭn'dər-stānd')   
v.   un·der·stood (-stŏŏd'), un·der·stand·ing, un·der·stands

v.   tr.

  1. To perceive and comprehend the nature and significance of; grasp. See Synonyms at apprehend.

  2. To know thoroughly by close contact or long experience with: That teacher understands children.

    1. To grasp or comprehend the meaning intended or expressed by (another): They have trouble with English, but I can understand them.

    2. To comprehend the language, sounds, form, or symbols of.

  4. To know and be tolerant or sympathetic toward: I can understand your point of view even though I disagree with it.

  5. To learn indirectly, as by hearsay: I understand his departure was unexpected.

  6. To infer: Am I to understand you are staying the night?

  7. To accept (something) as an agreed fact: It is understood that the fee will be 50 dollars.

  8. To supply or add (words or a meaning, for example) mentally.

v.   intr.

    1. To have understanding, knowledge, or comprehension.

    2. To have sympathy or tolerance.

  2. To learn something indirectly or secondhand; gather.


[Middle English understanden, from Old English understandan : under-, under- + standan, to stand; see stā- in Indo-European roots.]
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

understand 
O.E. understandan "comprehend, grasp the idea of," probably lit. "stand in the midst of," from under + standan "to stand" (see stand). If this is the meaning, the under is not the usual word meaning "beneath," but from O.E. under, from PIE *nter- "between, among" (cf. Skt. antar "among, between," L. inter "between, among," Gk. entera "intestines;" see inter-). But the exact notion is unclear. Perhaps the ult. sense is "be close to," cf. Gk. epistamai "I know how, I know," lit. "I stand upon." Similar formations are found in O.Fris. (understonda), M.Dan. (understande), while other Gmc. languages use compounds meaning "stand before" (cf. Ger. verstehen, represented in O.E. by forstanden ). For this concept, most I.E. languages use fig. extensions of compounds that lit. mean "put together," or "separate," or "take, grasp."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

understand

see give to understand.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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