English Dictionary

Definition of “perceive

perceive (pəˈsiːvPronunciation for perceive

Definitions

verb

  1. to become aware of (something) through the senses, esp the sight; recognize or observe
  2. (tr; may take a clause as object) to come to comprehend; grasp

Alternative Forms

perˈceivable adjective perˌceivaˈbility noun perˈceivably adverb perˈceiver noun

Word Origin

C13: from Old French perçoivre,  from Latin percipere  seize entirely, from per- (thoroughly) + capere to grasp

Usage examples

  • You hold out your hand to me, and I perceive only a finger of the claw of Mordor.
    J.R.R. Tolkien, THE LORD OF THE RINGS (2004)
  • Peering through the mosquito mesh in the window, I could just perceive a group of men hovering at the door.
    British Medical Journal (2002)
  • How do you perceive the current scenario in classical music?
    Samachar (2005)
  • Via these instances, he becomes the man others perceive him to be.
    Independent (1999)
  • More than two thousand years ago Aristotle argued that happiness depends not on the external world but on how we perceive it.
    Paul Martin, MAKING HAPPY PEOPLE (2005)

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