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| un·der·stand [ ùndər stánd ] (past and past participle un·der·stood [ ùndər std ], present participle un·der·stand·ing, 3rd person present singular un·der·stands) |
verb |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb grasp meaning of something: to know or be able to explain to yourself the nature of somebody or something, or the meaning or cause of something
  I can't understand what all the fuss is about.
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2. transitive and intransitive verb come to know something: to realize or become aware of something
finally understood the urgency of the situation
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3. transitive verb know meaning of words in language: to recognize and be able to translate the words of a foreign language
understands Spanish
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4. transitive and intransitive verb know and sympathize: to recognize somebody's character or somebody's situation, especially in a sympathetic, tolerant, or empathetic way
It's such a relief to find someone who understands.
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5. transitive verb take something as meant: to interpret something in a particular way, or to infer or deduce a particular meaning from something
understood it as a peaceful gesture
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6. transitive verb take something as settled: to believe something to be agreed, settled, or firmly communicated
I was given to understand you had agreed.
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7. transitive verb know something by learning or hearing: to gather or assume something on the basis of having heard or been told it
He is, I understand, expected later.
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8. transitive verb linguistics infer implicit meaning: to assume information or a meaning that is implied but not expressed directly
(
usually passive
)
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| [ Old English understandan<under + standan (see stand)] |
