apprehend, apprehending 1. To take into custody; arrest: apprehended the murderer. 2. To grasp mentally; understand: a candidate who apprehends the significance of geopolitical issues. 3. To become conscious of, as through the emotions or senses; to perceive. 4. To understand something. Found on http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/info/view_unit/1747/