Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AP-PRE-HEND', v.t. [L. apprehendo, of ad and prehendo, to take or seize; Sax. hendan or hentan.]

1. To take or seize; to take hold of. In this literal sense, it is applied chiefly to taking or arresting persons by legal process, or with a view to trial; as, to apprehend a thief.
2. To take with the understanding, that is, to conceive in the mind; understand, without passing a judgment, or making an inference. I apprehend not why so many and various laws are given. – Milton.
3. To think; to believe or be of opinion, but without positive certainty; as, all this is true, but, we apprehend it is not to the purpose. Notwithstanding this declaration, we do not apprehend that we are guilty of presumption. – Encyc. Art. Metaphysics.
4. To fear; to entertain suspicion or fear of future evil; as, we apprehend calamities from a feeble or wicked administration.