perceive

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To become aware of something through the senses, especially sight.

   I could perceive the ship coming over the horizon.

2. 2
   verb

   To understand or come to realize something.

   She finally perceived the futility of arguing with him.

3. 3
   verb

   To think of or regard someone or something in a particular way.

   His comrades perceived him as a coward.

From Middle English perceyven, borrowed from Old French percevoir, perceveir, from Latin percipiō, past participle perceptus (“take hold of, obtain, receive, observe”), from per (“by, through”) + capiō (“to take”); see capable. Compare conceive, deceive, receive.

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