v. Obs. Forms: 1 begrípan, 2–3 bi-, begripen, 4 bigrype(n, 4–7 begripe. [Comm. WGer.: OE. begrípan, f. BE- + grípan to GRIPE = OHG. begrîfan, mod.G. begreifen, Du. begrijpen.]
1. trans. To catch hold of, apprehend; to seize and hold fast. Also fig.
c. 1175. Cott. Hom., 237. Al se middennard was mid senne begripe.
c. 1220. Bestiary, 516, in O. E. Misc., 16. Ðe grete maiȝ he noȝt bigripen.
c. 1340. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 214. Þe stele of a stif staf þe sturne hit bi-grypte.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur (1816), II. 295. This sword … shall never no man begripe.
2. To take in, contain, hold, comprehend.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 102. Asie, Aufrique, Europe … Begripeth all this erthe round.
c. 1420. Pallad. on Husb., II. 278. Let stand as feel as may thi land begripe.
3. To take to task, reprehend.
a. 1000. Ags. Gloss. to Psalm xv. 7.
c. 1200. Ormin, 19857. Sannt Johan haffde þe king Bigripenn off hiss sinne.
