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