comprehend

Everyday

1. (formal) To understand something fully. tree →
2. (formal) To include or contain. tree →

In the lessons

In school: reading comprehension means understanding what you read. Formal exam voice: «comprehend the question». In stories: «He could not comprehend how big the universe was».

Examples

• I can't comprehend how big space is. tree →
• Read slowly so you comprehend each sentence. tree →
• The puppy did not comprehend the command. tree →
• The scientists struggled to comprehend the results. tree →
• Reading comprehension tests check you understood the story. tree →
• It's hard to comprehend such a large number. tree →
• Dear Cadmus, you do not comprehend me. tree →

Note

Formal: everyday word is understand. Noun: comprehension; adjective comprehensible (can be understood), comprehensive (complete, including everything) — different meaning!

In Jewish tradition

In Proverbs it means to understand. In Job it means that people cannot fully grasp God's works. Isaiah uses it to mean to hold or contain the dust of the earth in a measure.

Interpretation. Sefer Yetzirah calls on the reader to understand its wisdom deeply. Tradition treats such study as a way to know the Creator. It also teaches that human minds cannot fully comprehend God.

Examples

• Comprehend this great wisdom, understand this [7] knowledge, inquire into it and ponder on it, render it evident and lead [8] the Creator back to His throne again. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• The Decad, which is the sum of the four former, comprehends all arithmetical and musical proportions. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →
• To know wisdom and instruction; to comprehend the words of understanding; (Writings PRO.1.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• God thundereth marvellously with His voice; great things doeth He, which we cannot comprehend. (Writings JOB.37.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? (Prophets ISA.40.12, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Formal: everyday word is understand. Noun: comprehension; adjective comprehensible (can be understood), comprehensive (complete, including everything) — different meaning!