Emily Dickinson Lexicon

UN-DER-STAND'ING, n.

1. The faculty of the human mind by which it apprehends the real state of things presented to it, or by which it receives or comprehends the ideas which others express and intend to communicate. The understanding is called also the intellectual faculty. It is the faculty by means of which we obtain a great part of our knowledge. Luke xxiv. Eph. i. By understanding I mean that faculty whereby we are enabled to apprehend the objects of knowledge, generals or particulars, absent or present, and to judge of their truth or falsehood, good or evil. Watts. There is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth him understanding. Job xxxii.
2. Knowledge; exact comprehension. Right understanding consists in the perception of the visible or probable agreement or disagreement of ideas. Locke.
3. Intelligence between two or more persons; agreement of minds; union of sentiments. There is a good understanding between the minister and his people.