Main Entry:

pre·hen·sile

Pronunciation:

\prē-ˈhen(t)-səl, -ˈhen-ˌsī(-ə)l\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

French préhensile, from Latin prehensus, past participle of prehendere to seize — more at get

Date:

circa 1785

1 : adapted for seizing or grasping especially by wrapping around <prehensile tail> 2 : gifted with mental grasp or moral or aesthetic perception

— pre·hen·sil·i·ty \(ˌ)prē-ˌhen-ˈsi-lə-tē\ noun