apprehension

ap·pre·hen·sion

noun \ˌa-pri-ˈhen(t)-shən\

Definition of APPREHENSION

1

a : the act or power of perceiving or comprehending <a person of dull apprehension> b : the result of apprehending mentally : conception <according to popular apprehension>

2

: seizure by legal process : arrest <apprehension of a criminal>

3

: suspicion or fear especially of future evil : foreboding <an atmosphere of nervous apprehension>

Examples of APPREHENSION

1. The thought of moving to a new city fills me with apprehension.
2. an increased number of apprehensions

Origin of APPREHENSION

Middle English, from Late Latin apprehension-, apprehensio, from Latin apprehendere

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to APPREHENSION

Synonyms: alarm (also alarum), apprehensiveness, dread, foreboding, misgiving

Antonyms: discharge

Related Words: agitation, anxiety, anxiousness, concern, disquiet, disquietude, distress, disturbance, fearfulness, funk, perturbation, solicitude, suspense, unease, uneasiness; scruple, worry; doubt, incertitude, mistrust, suspiciousness, uncertainty, wariness; defeatism, pessimism; foreknowledge, premonition, presage, presentiment

Near Antonyms: anticipation, excitement, hope, hopefulness; confidence, optimism, sanguinity

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Rhymes with APPREHENSION

fourth dimension, surface tension, third dimension