a. [ad. med.L. apprehensīv-us, f. apprehens-, ppl. stem of apprehendĕre: see APPREHEND and -IVE. Cf. Fr. appréhensif, -ive.] Characterized by apprehension; habitually apprehending.
† 1. In the habit of seizing, ready to seize or embrace (an offer or opportunity). Obs.
1620. Sanderson, Serm., Ad Pop. i. (1674), 136. So apprehensive of but an outward enforced semblance of contrition from the hands of an Hypocrite.
a. 1641. Ld. Strafford, in Browning’s Pr. Life, 3, note (O.) [I] shall be very apprehensive of any occasions, wherein I may do any good offices.
2. Pertaining to, or fitted for, the laying hold of sensuous or mental impressions.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., III. vi. (1495), 53. All the wyttes come of the vertue Racional and apprehensiue.
1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie (Arb.), 268. Illfauorednesse or disproportion to the partes apprehensiue, as … when a sound is either too loude or too low.
1671. Milton, Samson, 623. Thoughts, my tormentors, armed with deadly stings, Mangle my apprehensive tenderest parts.
1862. F. Hall, Hindu Philos. Syst., 88. When the apprehensive faculties of the soul are in their full vigour, and when the soul is calm and unperturbed, it may be said to be in a state of goodness.
3. Of mental faculties and their operations: Showing apprehension or grasp of a subject; intelligent, discerning, quick.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., I. ii. III. i. If the Imagination be very apprehensive, intent, and violent.
1785. Cowper, Task, VI. 612. In some [animals] are found Such teachable and apprehensive parts.
1863. Mrs. C. Clarke, Shaks. Char., x. 258. The reasons he gives … are neat, apprehensive, and witty.
1874. J. H. Newman, Gerontius, 20. A sense so apprehensive and discriminant.
4. Of intelligent beings: In the habit or capable of grasping with the mind, perceptive; hence, quick to learn, intelligent, ‘sharp.’ Const. of.
1601. Shaks., Jul. C., III. i. 67. And Men are Flesh and Blood, and apprehensiue.
1627. Lisander & Cal., IV. 63. Those who are apprehensive of love.
1636. Heywood, Challenge, III. i. My daughter is an apt, and wittie lasse: I know her apprehensive, and well-brayn’d.
1670. Milton, Hist. Eng., II. (1851), 84. More fond of Miracles, than apprehensive of Truth.
1697. Evelyn, Numism., ix. 295. Spaniels … docile and apprehensive.
1868. Browning, Ring & Bk., III. VIII. 1500. The lower phrase that suits the sense O’ the limitedly apprehensive.
5. Having an apprehension or notion; understanding, realizing, conscious, sensible. Const. of or subord. cl. arch.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. vii. 70. The King apprehensiue of his meaning, called his Lords.
1683. Lond. Gaz., mdcccxlix/2. We are deeply apprehensive of the Confluences of Blessings, which … we enjoy.
1764. Harmer, Observ., XI. iii. 104. I am apprehensive that this is an additional proof of the requisiteness of attending to the customs of the East when we would explain the Scriptures.
1843. J. H. Newman, Miracles, 58. Miracles … wrought … by instruments but partially apprehensive that they are such.
6. Anticipative of something adverse; fearful of what may be about to happen. (Now the most usual sense.) a. simply.
1718. Pope, Iliad, XIII. 812. From death he flies, And turns around his apprehensive eyes.
1742. Richardson, Pamela, III. 418. I am a sad weak, apprehensive Body; to be sure I am!
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., III. V. vi. (1857), II. 311. Though physically of a timid apprehensive nature.
b. with of.
1633. T. Adams, Exp. 2 Pet. ii. 22. Swine are naturally apprehensive of wind and weather, by an ingrafted knowledge; and run crying home before the storm.
1768. H. Walpole, Hist. Doubts, 107. Noah’s niece, being apprehensive of the deluge, set out for Ireland.
1848. C. Brontë, Jane Eyre, v. (1873), 37. Mortally apprehensive of some one coming in and kidnapping me.
c. with subord. cl.
1704. Swift, T. Tub, Apol., Wks. 1778, I. 202. Being apprehensive it might spoil the sale of the book.
1756. Burke, Subl. & B., Wks. I. 224. I am apprehensive that experience was not sufficiently consulted.
1802. Gentl. Mag., March, 282/1. His attempts to return the intestine being unsuccessful, he was apprehensive an operation would be necessary.
d. the source from which apprehensions come, or the object for whose safety they are entertained, may be expressed.
1665. Boyle, Occas. Refl., II. xv. (1675), 142. Why should I be more apprehensive for my Body than my Mind.
1791. Burke, Nat. Assembly, Wks. VI. 41. More apprehensive from his servants … than from the hired blood-thirsty mob without.
1836. Macgillivray, Humboldt’s Trav., xvii. 220. They became apprehensive for the safety of their canoe.
† 7. Capable of being apprehended, apprehensible; intelligible. Obs. rare.
1692. Dryden, St. Euremont’s Ess., 176. Who cannot suffer that things should be rendred apprehensive to Idle Persons, which he has learned amongst the Ancients with pains.
