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Added 9 October 2026

apprehensive

/ˌæpɹɪˈhɛnsɪv/ adjective

In Latin: praementuens Wiktionary

adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about apprehensive at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Quick to understand.
a kind and apprehensive friend
Mentally upset over possible misfortune or danger etc.
apprehensive about her job
In fear or dread of possible evil or harm.
apprehensive for one's life

Origin

From Latin apprehensīvus, from apprehensus, perfect passive participle of apprehendō (“to apprehend, understand, learn”) + -īvus (“-ive”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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