prehend

IPA/pɹɪhˈɛnd/
IPA/pɹɪhˈɛnd/

prehend — verb

  • prehendpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • prehends3rd person singular
  • prehending-ing form
  • prehendedpast simple

1. to catch something firmly and keep it in your grasp with a hand or another part

1.動詞及物C2
釋義

to catch something firmly and keep it in your grasp with a hand or another part that can grip

例句

Jisoo prehended the railing in the dark before she slipped.

formal/literary: prehend + physical object

The chimpanzee prehended a low branch and pulled itself onto the wall.

animal subject + prehend + object

同義詞
  • grasp

    more common and works for both physical and mental holding

  • seize

    suggests faster or more forceful action than prehend

  • clutch

    emphasises holding tightly, often from fear or urgency

反義詞
  • release

    to let go after holding something

  • drop

    to stop holding something so it falls

文法句型

prehend + noun phrase

用法筆記

Extremely rare as a standalone verb. In most modern contexts, writers choose grasp, seize, or hold instead.

常見錯誤

❌I finally prehended the idea after class.
✅I finally comprehended the idea after class.
💡'prehend' by itself is about physically taking hold, not understanding.

2. to catch a person and place them under official control, especially by police or

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to catch a person and place them under official control, especially by police or guards

例句

Town guards prehended the thief near the bridge before sunrise.

formal/legal: prehend + person

Border officers prehended two smugglers after their boat touched shore.

同義詞
  • apprehend

    the modern formal verb for arresting a suspect

  • arrest

    the standard everyday and legal word

  • detain

    focuses on holding someone in custody, not the moment of capture

反義詞
  • release

    to let a person go after holding them

  • free

    to allow someone to leave control or custody

文法句型

prehend + person

用法筆記

Very rare as a standalone verb. In current English, apprehend is the normal verb for this meaning, especially in legal or police writing.

常見錯誤

❌The police prehended the driver during the news report.
✅The police apprehended the driver during the news report.
💡'prehend' exists, but modern English normally uses 'apprehend' for arrests.