understandv.

Brit.

/ˌʌndəˈstand/, U.S.

/ˌəndərˈstænd/

Forms: (see stand v.).

Etymology: Old English understondan , -standan (under- prefix¹ 4a(a)), = Old Frisian understonda, Middle Danish understande, Middle Swedish undi(r)standa, Old Icelandic (as a foreign word) undirstanda. Compare Middle Low German understân to understand, to step under, Middle Dutch onderstaen (Dutch -staan), Middle High German understân, -stên (German unterstehen), to take upon oneself, to venture, presume, etc. With a different prefix, the same use of stand appears in Old English forstandan, Old Saxon farstandan, Old High German far-, firstantan (firstân), and Middle High German verstân, -stên (German verstehen), Middle Dutch verstaen (Dutch -staan). In the 15th and 16th centuries three forms of the past participle were current, viz. (a) the original understanden (also -stonden), in use till about 1550; (b) the reduced form of this, understande (-stonde), -stand (-stond), common till about 1575, and surviving into the 17th cent.; (c) the new form understanded (-stonded), very common from about 1530 to 1585. The occurrence of understanded in the Thirty-Nine Articles, xxxv, in the phrase ‘understanded of the people’, has given rise to recent echoes of it, especially in journalistic use. The modern form understood came into use in the latter part of the 16th cent., and was usual by 1600.

I. transitive.

a. To comprehend; to apprehend the meaning or import of; to grasp the idea of.

ΚΠ

c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxxix. §8 Se godcunda foreþonc hit understent eall swiðe rihte, þeah..we ne cunnon þæt riht understandan.

c1000 Ælfric Homilies I. 188 Wæs seo ealde æ swiðe earfoðe and digle to understandenne.

a1225 Leg. Kath. 1013 Liht to ure lare, þet tu mahe stihen to under~stonden in him godes muchele strencðe.

c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 11/343 Þe Aumperour þis onder-stod, þei he heþene were.

1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 609 Ȝe ne vndurstonde nouht þat stounde þe storie of þis wordus.

a1450 Mirk's Festial 3 Whech noyse God hymselfe schall know and vndyrstond.

1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer iii. f. cccliii If these thynges be wel vnderstond I wene that non inconuenyent shalt thou fynde betwene goddes forwetyng & lyberte of arbitrement.

1534 W. Turner tr. J. von Watt Of Olde God & Newe sig. Pv The multytude of dyuerse ceremonyes..not being vnderstanded nor perceyued of the comen sorte..of people.

1548 R. Hutten tr. J. Spangenberg Sum of Diuinitie sig. Eiv^v The sentence shal be better understande if it be changed into a comparyson to an other.

1600 J. Pory tr. J. Leo Africanus Geogr. Hist. Afr. iii. 155 A man may much more easily vnder~stand the text then the exposition thereof.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 376 Now clear I understand What oft my steddiest thoughts have searcht in vain.

1733 G. Berkeley Theory of Vision §27. 23 I have considered and endeavoured to understand your Remarks.

1816 J. Austen Emma I. ix. 171 One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other.

1891 F. W. Farrar Darkness & Dawn I. xxi. 191 The young prince saw that they were in possession of something more divine than the world could understand.

reflexive.c1275 in Old Eng. Misc. 45/297 Peter a-non þer-after hyne vnderstod Hwat his louerd hedde iseyd.

b. To be thoroughly acquainted or familiar with (an art, profession, etc.); to be able to practise or deal with properly.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > familiarity > know, be conversant with [verb (transitive)]

witc888

yknoweOE

witOE

canOE

knowOE

kenc1330

acquainta1393

quaint1509

understand1541

to summer and winter1602

possess1607

1541 T. Elyot Castel of Helthe (new ed.) A ij The science of phisicke,..beyng well vnderstande, truely experienced, and discretely ordred.

1622 J. Taylor Farewell to Tower-bottles A 4 When Vpland Trades-men thus dares take in hand A wat'ry buis'nesse, they not vnderstand.

1681 J. Chetham Angler's Vade Mecum xxxix. 167 I will not deny, but that (as the times phrase it) I understand somthing of Eating.

1727 A. Hamilton New Acct. E. Indies II. 93 He..understood a small Sword excellently well, but [was] not much versed in Merchandize or foreign Commerce.

1768 Earl of Carlisle in J. H. Jesse G. Selwyn & his Contemp. (1843) II. 292 Get somebody who understands it to taste it [sc. claret] for you.

1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward III. iii. 72 Galeotti..understood his own profession too well to let that ignorance be seen.

1859 Habits Good Society v. 221 Thomas, bring that fowl to me; Mr. Jones [who is trying to carve it] seems not to understand it.

c. To apprehend clearly the character or nature of (a person). Also reflexive.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > penetrate, discern [verb (transitive)]

piercea1398

to look througha1525

insee1541

penetrate?1563

to see through ——1565

to look through ——1580

understand1587

to break through1597

fathom1633

unfathom1707

1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. v. 57 God then conceyued and vnderstood himselfe; and it must needes be that he vnderstood himselfe, seeing that the chiefest wisedome is to knowe ones selfe.

1588 T. Kyd tr. T. Tasso Housholders Philos. f. 17^v So y^t the seruaunt, if you will rightly vnderstand him, is..A liuely & seueral instrument of action.

1846 A. Marsh Father Darcy II. viii. 137 It is my misfortune to be little understood; but our praise is not of men, but of God.

1874 J. Parker Paraclete i. ix. 142 We cannot understand Christ until we understand Moses, nor can we understand the spirit until we understand Christ.

†d. reflexive (a) To know one's place, or how to conduct oneself properly. (b) To be in possession of one's senses or faculties. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > mental health > be sane [verb (reflexive)]

understand1603

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > behave well [verb (reflexive)] > know how to behave

understand1603

(a)

1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. iii. 96 You do not vnderstand your selfe So well as befits my honor.

1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Eeeev/1 To understand himself, to know how to carry himself, savoir se conduire.

1745 J. Mason Treat. Self-knowl. i. iii. 39 Nothing is more common than to say, when a Person does not behave with due Decency towards his Superiors, such a one does not understand himself.

(b)1696 J. Aubrey Miscellanies 136 He was an Hundred Years old when my Friend was with him; and yet, did understand himself very well.

a. To comprehend by knowing the meaning of the words employed; to be acquainted with (a language) to this extent.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > know, be aware of [verb (transitive)]

witc888

underyetec893

knowOE

acknowOE

understanda1000

seeOE

awitc1200

wota1300

beknowc1300

kena1400

cognizance1642

suppose1843

the mind > language > a language > using or speaking languages > speak a language [verb (transitive)] > understand a language

understanda1000

reada1400

a1000 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 100 Sprec us æfter urum andgyte þæt we magon understandan þa þing þe þu specst.

c1275 in Old Eng. Misc. 56/668 Eueruych þer vnderstod his icunde speche.

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2210 Wende here non it on his mod, Oc Iosep al it under-stod.

a1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame ii. 2 Now herkeneth, euery maner man That englissh under~stonde kan.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 232 Þis ilk bok is es translate..For the loue of Inglis lede..For the commun at understand.

c1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xxix. 131 Neuer þe latter þai wate noȝt whare þai myght aryfe, and also þai schuld noȝt vnderstand þer langage.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Gen. xi. B Let vs..confounde their tonge euen there, y^t one vnderstonde not what another saieth [cōfounde & euē (euen) in text].

c1595 Capt. Wyatt in G. F. Warner Voy. R. Dudley to W. Indies (1899) 40 All theire conference was in the Indian tounge, which our Captaine nor anie of his companie did understande.

1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 250 The Arabike I vnderstand not.

1659 T. Burton Diary (1828) IV. 6 Seeing we all understand not French, let us take his word; that is English.

1716 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1901) V. 314 He does not understand Latin.

1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 46 The Spaniards, two of whom understand English well enough.

1842 Ld. Tennyson Vision of Sin in Poems (new ed.) II. 226 An answer peal'd.., But in a tongue no man could understand.

b. To grasp the meaning or purport of the words (or signs) used by (a person).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (transitive)] > reach understanding of > words or meaning

takec1175

understanda1225

intenda1400

conceive?1526

accept1587

construe1622

to catch a person's drift1821

comprehend1860

to get on to ——1880

a1225 Leg. Kath. 1641 Beo nu þenne, Porphire, stille & understont me.

a1300 Cursor Mundi 2260 Bot sua he mengud þam þair mode, þat naman oþer vndirstode.

c1386 G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale 520 A maner latyn corrupt was hir speche, But algates ther by was she vnderstonde.

c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lx. 208 Thus they compleynyd them one to another, and Huon, who was nere them, vnderstode them well.

1566 T. Stapleton Returne Vntruthes Jewelles Replie iii. 110 b To praie, it was not requisit he should be vnderstanded, For that was done..by sighynges.

a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iv. ii. 238 Thou didst vnder~stand me by my signes.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 58 Forthwith a hideous gabble rises loud Among the Builders; each to other calls Not understood .

1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 61 When he eats he speaks to no body, but makes himself be understood by signs to the mute Buffoons.

1838 E. Bulwer-Lytton Leila ii. i. 68 ‘Thou understandest me, father?’ ‘I do. I know your pious heart and well-judging mind.’

1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair lvi. 503 Pretending to understand little George when he spoke regarding them.

reflexive.c1535 Ploughman's Tale iii. sig. C.ii^v Yet he iangleth as a iaye And vnderstont hym selfe nothyng.a1625 J. Fletcher Women Pleas'd iv. iii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Eeeeee3/1 What Treason's that? do's this fellow understand Himselfe?

c. to understand each other, to be in agreement or collusion; to be confederates.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > social relations > association for a common purpose > associate for common purpose [verb (intransitive)]

jousta1325

ally?a1400

joinc1400

associe1441

confederc1460

to stick together1525

band1530

to join forces1560

colleaguec1565

alliance1569

to enter league1578

unite1579

interleague1590

confederate1591

to join hands1598

combine1608

injointa1616

combinda1626

bandy1633

comply1646

federate1648

leaguea1649

associate1653

coalesce1657

to understand each other1663

sociate1688

to row in the same (also in one) boat1787

rendezvous1817

to make common cause (with)1845

to sing the same song1846

cahoot1857

to gang up1910

jungle1922

1663 in Extracts State Papers (Friends' Hist. Soc.) (1911) 2nd Ser. 171 The Quakers..with all other Sects are fully agreed in this business and doe perfectly understand each other.

1675 in C. E. Pike Essex Papers (1913) II. 24 Its so apparent..that they understand one another.

1852 R. S. Surtees Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour i. vii. 30 ‘You trust me,’ replied Leather,..with a look as much as to say, ‘we understand each other’.

a. To comprehend as a fact; to grasp clearly, to realize. Chiefly with clause as object.

ΚΠ

c1000 Ælfric Lives Saints xxv. 178 Under-stand be ðam hu se ælmihtiga god hi ealle gesceop..of nahte.

c1012 Wulfstan Homilies 156 Understandað eac..þæt deofol þas þeode nu fela geara dwelode.

a1200 Vices & Virtues 19 Vnderstandeþ, alle ðe ðis radeþ oðer ihereð,..þe muchele ðolemodnesse of us on ðese liue.

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 54 Swa þe feont vnder stont anan richt hire wacnesse.

c1315 Shoreham i. 652 Nou onderstand: þe signe her Fourme hys of wyne and brede.

1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 140 And understond that al this peine..Is schape al only for thi pride.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 14874 Quat he was þai noght vnderstode.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4249 Sir putifar wel vndirstod þat ioseph was o gentil blod.

c1425 J. Lydgate Assembly of Gods 2040 I cowde nat vndyrstande Where he became, but sodenly As he came, he went.

1486 Bk. St. Albans d ij Understonde ye that a Goshawke shulde not flie to any fowle.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) John viii. 27 Howbeit they vnderstode not, that he spake of the father.

1558 Bp. T. Watson Holsome Doctr. Seuen Sacramentes xxi. f. cxxviii He hath often tymes with his reason vnderstande..what God hath commaunded and the goodnes of it.

1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lxvii. 175 Thus much they knewe, although as yet they vnderstoode not perfectly to what effect or issue the same would come.

1710 J. Addison Whig Examiner 14 Sept. ⁋3 This Œdipus, you must understand,..was son to a King of Thebes.

1781 W. Cowper Expostulation 159 They..could not under~stand That sin let loose speaks punishment at hand.

1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci iv. i. 61 Tell her to come; yet let her understand Her coming is consent.

1862 H. Spencer First Princ. i. iv. §23. 70 You now understand..what has disabled the partridge.

†b. With reflexive pronoun. Obsolete. rare.

ΚΠ

c1175 Lamb. Hom. 35 For-þi leofemen understondet eouseluen þa hwile ȝe mahten: Nis þas weorld nawiht.

c1320 Cast. Love 1131 A! Mon, nim ȝeme and vnderstond þe Hou fynliche in herte God loueþ þe.

†c. To ascertain the purport of (a letter, etc.) by perusal and consideration. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 50 We fulliche vndirstondend ȝour lettres sent to vs,..do ȝow openliche to wetyn [etc.].

c1400 Brut ii. 318 The which lettres, whan þe kyng..had seyn & vndirstonden, he had grete compassioun.

1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1558) viii. xxv. 16 b Your letters red and plainly vnderstande.

c1503 tr. Charter of London in R. Arnold Chron. f. iiij^v/1 We haue vnderstand the charter the whiche the lorde herry..made to y^e citezens of london in thes wordes.

1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. xiv. 14 Whan all the cases and dedis that the kyng had done..were red, and wel understand.

a. To grasp as a fixed or established fact or principle; to regard as settled or implied without specific mention.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > agreement, concurrence, or unanimity > agree with [verb (transitive)] > regard as agreed

understandc1055

to call (it) square1891

c1055 Byrhtferth's Handboc in Anglia (1885) 8 304 Þis ylce understand be þam oðrum dagum.

c1400 N. Love tr. Bonaventura Mirror Life Christ (1908) 9 It is to vndirstonde..as for a principal and general rule, that [etc.].

?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. lv^v Than it is to be vnderstande what goodes a man shall take with hym.

1553 R. Eden in tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India Pref. sig. aavij The lyke is to be vnderstande of Popingiayes and spyces.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 662 Warr then, Warr Open or understood must be resolv'd.

1854 Poultry Chron. 2 363 It must be also under~stood that no alteration can be made in the prices.

b. To have knowledge of, to know or learn, by information received. (Now merged in 4c.)Frequently in to give or †do (one) to understand: see do v. 29b(b), give v. 29b.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > have knowledge, know [verb (transitive)]

i-witec900

wit971

yknowOE

canOE

i-kenc1000

seeOE

yknowOE

understanda1131

knowlOE

can (or could) skillc1340

cona1387

havec1405

kyd1530

weeta1547

digest1549

wist1580

wis1606

savvy1686

sabe1850

a1131 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1127 Se ilce Heanri dide þone king to understandene þæt he hæfde [etc.].

?a1200 in Kemble Cod. Dipl. IV. 218 I do ȝowe to understonden ðat I wolle ðat ðe prestes..haue euere soke and sake ouere alle heore men.

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 5262 Whan þe worþi william..hade vnderston þe tidinges to þende, to þe menskful messageres he made glad chere.

c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Prol. 470 Now wole I seyn what penaunce thow schalt do For thyn trespace, & vndyrstonde it here.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 19919 Whenne he his comynge vndirstode.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 12342 To þe leones coue he yod, þar he þe quelpes vnder-stod.

1423 Kingis Quair cxxvii My son, I..vnderstond, Be thy reherse, the matere of thy gref.

1482 in H. E. Malden Cely Papers (1900) 128 I wndyrstonde be Robard Eryke that ȝe hafe ij fayr hawkes.

1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccccj^v I require you..that you wyll make a direct aunswer..and let me vnderstande it to morrowe.

1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xv. 16 b The great displeasure he would take, when he should vnderstand the great dammage which the Turks had done.

1611 B. Jonson Catiline iv. sig. L1^v I vnderstand by Quintus Fabius Sanga,..you haue beene lately Sollicited against the Common-wealth.

c1665 L. Hutchinson Mem. Col. Hutchinson (1973) 263 When the Collonell's wife understood her husband's bad accommodation.

c. To take or accept as a fact, without positive knowledge or certainty; to get as an impression or idea; to believe. Chiefly with object clause.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > accept as true, believe [verb (transitive)]

ylevec888

leve971

ween971

i-weneOE

takec1175

trowc1175

truth?c1250

thinka1275

believec1300

trustc1325

hold1340

trist1340

to give (one's) faith to (also unto)c1405

accept?c1430

admitc1449

credencea1529

to take a person at his (also her) word1535

credit1547

faith1576

to take a person's word1576

receive1581

creed1596

understand1751

Adam and Eve1925

buy1926

1751 R. Paltock Life Peter Wilkins II. x. 112 As I understand your great Ancestor would have come into it..but for the Ragams.

1788 W. Cowper Let. 6 May (1982) III. 156 The General, I understand by his last Letter, is in Town.

1825 T. Hook Sayings & Doings 2nd Ser. I. 217 I understood from Mr. Abberly..that I should find him, if I called at this time of the day.

1829 W. Scott Anne of Geierstein III. xi. 310 They understood it was his wish to observe incognito.

1858 Congressional Globe 18 Feb. 752/1 I understand the gentleman from Illinois to give way. The Chairman. The Chair understands not.

1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ At Bay vii. 105 It was understood she had made an engagement to go to India.

a. To take, interpret, or view in a certain way.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > explanation, exposition > interpretation > particular interpretation, construction > interpret in particular way [verb (transitive)]

understandc1000

interpretc1380

construea1400

construec1465

to make (a) construction1528

expound1533

confera1555

reada1556

decipher1569

resemble1592

intellect1599

c1000 Ags. Psalter xxi. 2 Ne understand þu hit me to unrihtwisnesse.

c1000 Ælfric Lives Saints xxv. 472 Æwfestlice understandende be ure ealra æriste.

c1175 Lamb. Hom. 75 Þis word..mon mei understonden on þro wise.

c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4425 Þe dragon es understanden þe fende..And þe thred part of þe sternes bright Er cristen men undirstanden right.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 337 Bot þou sal noght þou vndirstand þat he wroght al his werc wit hand.

a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Nero) viii. xi. 1928 Þir wordis in to propyrte Al þus may vndirstandyn be.

1533 J. Frith Bk. answeringe Mores Let. sig. Aij^v I shewed hym that it was not necessarie, that the wordes shulde so be vnderstonde as they sownde.

?1566 W. P. tr. C. S. Curio Pasquine in Traunce 107 That which Christ speaketh..of many false Prophets..may be vnderstand to be the sundry sectes of Monkes and Fryers.

1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 188 b The Major must be understanded, that Paule treated not of the cause..but of the execution and effect of predestination.

1645 Docqets Lett. Pat. at Oxf. (1837) 257 Which Forces shalbe vnderstoode to be in the nature of Posse Comitatus.

1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. iv. §8 Some understand the first words..that he was not born a Prophet.

1772 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra II. lxviii. 310 You, Lord Mansfield, did not understand me so.

1835 T. Mitchell in tr. Aristophanes Acharnians 339 (note) Elmsley understands this word in its legal sense.

1860 J. W. Warter Sea-board & Down II. 492 I do not quite know how Miss Bremer..intended these words to be understood.

b. Const. by. (In passive passing into the sense of ‘is signified’.)

ΚΠ

c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 1681 Bi þe name of ded may be tane, And understanden ma dedes þan ane.

1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xii. 257 By þe po feet is vnderstonde..Excecutoures, fals frendes.

c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 69 By þis man is vnderstondyn feynar þat is fals, and lufiþ his synne.

1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope i. i By the cok is to vnderstond the fool whiche retcheth not of sapyence.

c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 11 All the cristin men yat war vnderstandin be the grene blude.

1502 tr. Ordynarye of Crysten Men (de Worde) i. iii. sig. d.i ^v By y^e coniuracyon y^e whiche is made vnto y^e lefte eere is vnderstande y^t he ought to put out of vs all euyll thoughtes.

1561 J. Daus tr. H. Bullinger Hundred Serm. vpon Apocalips xli. 271 We reade..that there was an Aungel of Grece, and an Angel of Persia, and that by them the whole people are vnderstand.

1578 J. Banister Hist. Man i. f. 18^v You shall heare what space is to be vnderstanded by the name of Necke.

a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iv. iii. 95 Ros. What must we vnderstand by this? Oli. Some of my shame.

1651 C. Cartwright Certamen Religiosum i. 296 Estius..saith that Chrysostome and his followers by sacrifice then understand..Baptisme.

1727 D. Defoe Syst. Magick i. i. 25 After this Story no Man need enquire what the World understood by the Magicians and Astrologers, and wise Men of those Days.

1772 J. Adams tr. A. de Ulloa Voy. S. Amer. (ed. 3) I. 440 The llama, to which the Indians added the name of runa, to denote an India sheep; that beast being now under~stood by the runa-llama.

1865 J. Ruskin Sesame & Lilies i. 6 We do not understand by this advancement, in general, the mere making of money.

c. Const. of.

ΚΠ

1549 H. Latimer 1st Serm. before Kynges Grace sig. Av^v The forsaid words of Paull are not to be vnderstande of all scriptures.

1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 43 b He demaundeth of us, what is to be understanded of those Sacramentes which we doe reteine.

1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 110 Which is true, if understood only of the Rivers of Italy.

1861 F. A. Paley in tr. Æschylus Prometheus in Trag. (ed. 2) 898 (note) This is to be literally understood of the gadfly's sting.

†d. to understand, to wit, namely. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > specifically [phrase] > namely or that is to say

id esteOE

that is to sayc1175

that is to wit1340

that is to witting1340

to say1547

to wit1577

to understand1579

1579 J. Dee 15 June in Private Diary (1842) 5 To my heires and assignes for ever, to understand, Mr. Bullok and Mr. Taylor.

†e. To mean, to imply. (Cf. 12b) Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > mean [verb (transitive)]

meaneOE

beholdc1175

spele?c1225

bemeana1300

amountc1300

willa1382

import1425

employ1528

intend?c1530

would say1564

understand1617

spella1661

1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 227 Distant from Ierusalem some fiue miles, (in Turky I alwaies vnderstand Italian miles).

†6.

a. To give heed to, attend to. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)]

yemec897

understandc1000

beseea1225

heeda1225

bihedec1250

tentc1330

to look into ——c1350

rewardc1350

undertakea1382

considerc1385

recorda1393

behold?a1400

receivea1425

advertc1425

attend1432

advertise?a1439

regard1526

respect1543

eye?c1550

mind1559

panse1559

to take knowledge of1566

to consider of1569

suspect1590

pass1609

matter1652

watch1676

c1000 Ælfric Lives Saints xxiii b 186 Þæt geswinc his syðfætes ne understandende..[he] arn.

c1275 Old Eng. Misc. 90/8 Þu ert help in engelaunde. Vre stephne vnderstonde.

c1320 Cast. Love 953 Ȝif þou wole me louen and vnderstonde, I chul þe bringe in-to þin owne londe.

c1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 48 Gouerne hem wyth goodnesse, and vnderstonde hem wyth debonertee.

†b. To receive, accept. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > acquisition > receiving > receive [verb (transitive)] > accept

onfangeOE

fangOE

to take with ——lOE

takec1175

understandc1200

afangc1275

receivec1330

accepta1382

'lowa1382

except1393

to take up1570

to take a person up on (something)1807

to take up1810

c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 99 Ech þe understandeð þat holi husel unwurðliche, he understant him seluen eche pine.

c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 167 Þis holie maiden..stehȝ þis dai..in to þan heuenliche bure, þar heo was wurðliche understonden.

c1275 Old Eng. Misc. 90/3 Haly thomas of heoueriche Alle apostles eueliche Þe Martyrs þe vnder~stonde.

c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 2814 And siþen shal ich under-stonde Of you..Manrede, and holde oþes boþe.

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2275 Al ðo briðere..bedden him riche present... And he leuelike it under-stod.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 2432 Þe king..comanded þorou-out his lande men sulde him mensk and vnderstande.

†c. To conceive. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > biology > biological processes > procreation or reproduction > conception > conceive [verb (transitive)]

onfangOE

underfoa1100

afanglOE

understandc1200

underfonga1300

conceptionc1350

conceivea1400

concept1603

c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 21 Þu shalt understonde [Lamb. Hom. 77, underfon] child on þine innoðe.

a. To recognize or regard as present in thought, though not expressly stated or mentioned; to supply mentally. Chiefly Grammar.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > hidden or indirect meaning > communicate secretively [verb (transitive)] > recognize hidden meaning

understand1530

subaud1826

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 342 Whan we use ‘they’ or ‘them’, under~standyng femynin substantyves, they use ever elles.

1533 T. More Answere Poysened Bk. i. xiiii. f. lv Though those wordes were out, yet they be such as the sentence wolde well requyre to repete and vnderstande.

a1704 T. Brown Ess. Satire Antients in Wks. (1720) I. 15 The Ancient Romans said Saturam under~standing Lancem.

1861 F. A. Paley Æschylus (ed. 2) Seven against Thebes 249 (note) Understand χαρίζοιο ἂν, or something to that effect, suppressed by aposiopesis.

b. In past participle: Implied, though not expressed.

ΚΠ

1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 102 You resemble in your sayings the Painter Tamantes, in whose pictures there was euer, more vnderstoode then painted.

1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 200 Admit this also that god's name is not expressed, yet have ye not taught us that it is not understanded here.

1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes v. §1. 410 Circumstantiall words, which are as bonds to knit word to word, it leaveth to be understood.

1669 J. Milton Accedence 59 A Noun and Pronoun with a Participle exprest or understood.

a1753 R. Newton tr. Theophrastus Characters (1754) 238 Here is an ellipsis of the substantive; which Lambert Bos hath not supply'd, and therefore I will venture to do it by ὁδὸν understood.

1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. iv. v. 192 An exception in favour of the Nabob..was, from standing usage, so much understood, that to express it had appeared altogether useless.

1835 T. Mitchell in tr. Aristophanes Acharnians 675 (note) The verb σκόπει or ὅρα is here understood.

1872 Punch 13 July 19/2 In order that any matter of business should be perfectly intelligible, nothing should be ‘understood’.

figurative.1858 T. J. Hogg Life Shelley II. 417 There was an ellipsis of his waistcoat; it was not expressed, but understood.

†8.

a. In passive: To be informed, advised, or (so) minded. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > information > action of informing > be informed [verb (passive)]

understandc1275

c1275 Old Eng. Misc. 52/518 We beoþ vnderstonde þes ilke swike seyde..Ich wile þene þridde day aryse from deþe to lyue.

1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 9300 Ȝif þou seist it vor noble kunne, þou nart noȝt wel vnderstonde, Vor ich was þe kinges sone, þou wost wel, of þis londe.

c1440 Pallad. on Husb. iii. 196 Tho thre wol multiplie, As semeth me, in euery maner lond; Yet Columelle is so not understonde.

†b. To plan, devise. With reflexive dative. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > invention, devising > invent, devise [verb (transitive)]

findeOE

understand1297

devisea1300

shapec1381

warpa1387

enginec1400

weavec1420

reparel1434

studyc1530

conjecture1551

spina1575

ingeniate1592

think1599

to pattern out1601

decoct1602

smooth1603

to fetch about1611

fancy1635

plait1642

erect1646

1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 8877 Þe king vor ire eritage him gan vnderstonde To bringe roberd is sone..in is warison þere.

9. To stand under. †Also spec., to support or assist; to prop up.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > [verb (transitive)]

lasteOE

i-hentc1225

uphold?c1225

upbeara1300

sustainc1300

understand13..

uplift1338

maintainc1350

supporta1393

underset1395

buttressc1400

supprise1447

bolster1508

stay1526

undershore?a1534

underpropa1535

to hold up by the chin1546

back1548

suborn1548

suffult?c1550

upshore?1567

shoulder1577

upstay1600

underwrite1609

abone1622

crutch1641

float1823

backstop1956

the world > space > relative position > low position > put in low position [verb (transitive)] > have position under > stand under

understand13..

the world > space > relative position > support > [verb (transitive)] > by or as something placed underneath

undersetc1220

understiprec1230

underpin1533

pin1589

underbuild1610

understand1632

understay1679

13.. Northern Passion (Add. MS.) 1751 Sayne Iohn hir body [v.r. Cristis word wel] vndir stude.

?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads v. 687 Alcander, and a number more, he slew, and more had slain, If Hector had not understood.

?1615 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses (new ed.) iv. 346 To let him reach the shore Of ships and tents before Troy understood.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) ii. v. 29 Why, stand-vnder: and vnder-stand is all one.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iii. i. 78 My legges do better vnderstand me sir, then I vnderstand what you meane. ]

1632 T. Heywood Iron Age v. i Thy rude hand Would lift a shield, thou canst not vnder stand.

1883 Academy 16 June 419/2 A full set of collations ‘understands’ the text.

II. intransitive.

10.

a. To have comprehension or understanding (in general or in a particular matter).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (intransitive)]

seeOE

understandc1000

knowlOE

tellc1390

conceive1563

smoke1676

overstand1699

savvy1785

dig1789

twig1832

capisce1904

the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (transitive)]

yknoweOE

acknowOE

anyeteOE

latchc1000

undernimc1000

understandc1000

underyetec1000

afindOE

knowOE

seeOE

onfangc1175

takec1175

underfindc1200

underfonga1300

undertakea1300

kenc1330

gripea1340

comprehend1340

comprendc1374

espyc1374

perceivea1387

to take for ——?1387

catcha1398

conceivea1398

intenda1400

overtakea1400

tenda1400

havec1405

henta1450

comprise1477

skilla1500

brook1548

apprend1567

compass1576

perstanda1577

endue1590

sound1592

engrasp1593

in1603

fathom1611

resent1614

receivea1616

to take up1617

apprehend1631

to take in1646

grasp1680

understumblec1681

forstand1682

savvy1686

overstand1699

uptake1726

nouse1779

twig1815

undercumstand1824

absorb1840

sense1844

undercumstumble1854

seize1855

intelligize1865

dig1935

the mind > mental capacity > belief > supposition, surmise > suppose, surmise [verb (intransitive)]

understandc1000

movea1325

thinka1533

imagine1579

wend1581

s'pose1632

surmise1820

c1000 Ælfric Homilies I. 302 [Þam men] is gemæne mid nytenum, þæt he gefrede; mid englum, þæt he understande.

c1012 Wulfstan Homilies 161 Eall þæt syndon micle and egeslice dæda, understande se ðe wille.

1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 2221 Sire king,..ȝif þou wolt understonde, Deol þou miȝt abbe in þin herte of þin kunde londe.

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 56 Huanne þe glotoun geþ in to þe tauerne..he..specþ wel and onderstant; huan he comþ ayen, he heþ al þis uorlore.

c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. II. 13 Ȝit ȝe knowun not, ne undir~stonden; ȝit ȝour herte is blyndid.

c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 14 The quhilk lettis to haue perfyte resoun..to vnderstand rychtwisly.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 767/2 For as farre as I can understande, it is so.

1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. v. 55 Albeit that of the things which are in this world, some vnderstand, and some vnderstand not;..all of them are appoynted to some certeyne end.

a1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Honest Mans Fortune v. i, in Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Xxxxx3^v/2 All women that on earth do dwell thou lov'st, Yet none that understand love thee again.

1673 J. Milton Psalm LXXXII in Poems (new ed.) 150 They know not nor will understand, In darkness they walk on.

1746 P. Francis tr. Horace in P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Epistles i. xiv. 64 By my Advice, let each with chearful Heart, As best he understands, employ his Art.

1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 234 Man's heart had been impenetrably sealed,..Had not his Maker's all-bestowing hand Giv'n him a soul and bade him understand.

1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam xcv. 145 She dwells on him with faithful eyes, ‘I cannot understand: I love’.

b. Const. about, †of. †Also with reflexive dative.

ΚΠ

c1000 Ælfric Homilies I. 10 Englas..ne magon fulfremedlice understandan ymbe God.

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 156 Nis..nan mon. þet ne mai understonden him of his sunnen nomeliche.

a1300 [see sense 10c].

1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 56 Certes gentil knight, I knowe wel my self & vnderstonde of this marchandyse.

1860 W. Collins Woman in White I. xv. 187 You quite understand about that little matter of business being safe in my hands?

1892 J. H. McCarthy 1001 Days II. 7 I under~stood about precious stones, and I had reason to hope that I should not do badly in the business.

†c. To know how to do something. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > familiarity > be or become conversant [verb (intransitive)] > know how to

understanda1300

wit1340

to know of ——c1350

kenc1400

skilla1586

a1300 Cursor Mundi 24792 Willam basterd..conquerur was gode, And for to warrai [c1375 of þe were he] vnderstode.

1723 tr. F. C. Weber Present State Russia I. 337 A Hatchet, which their Carpenters understand to handle with more Skill than those of any Nation whatsoever.

†11.

a. To have knowledge or information, to learn, of something. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > have knowledge of [verb (intransitive)]

canOE

to know of ——c1350

savoura1382

understanda1400

kenc1400

weeta1547

to keep up to1712

to know about ——1761

to be (or get) wise to1896

to wise up1905

to have heard of1907

to be (or get) jerry (on, on to, to)1908

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 19919 Quen he of his comming vnderstode, Sone he ras and gain þaim him ȝode.

a1400 Octouian 1589 Anoon the kyng..dede hem alle to vnther~stonde Of the Soudanes fyght.

1401 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. I. 22 We do yow to understonde of tydynges the weche we have yherd of Owein Glyndor.

1509 in J. Gairdner Historia Regis Henrici Septimi (1858) 435 Howbe that ye wold mervel in case that ye understode of al the maters that hathe passyd.

1629 A. Baker Let. 3 June in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. III. 256 I was gladde to understande of your life and health, which this bearer..made knowen unto me.

1653 R. Codrington Lloyd's Marrow of Hist. (new ed.) xvii. 116 The Philosopher..having understood of his mothers death.

1661 in Reg. Privy Council Scotl. 3rd Ser. I. 5 I shall not know nor understand of any maner of thing..against his Majesties persone..bot I shall lett and withstand the same.

†b. To get news, receive intelligence. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > information > action of informing > give information [verb (intransitive)] > be informed

hear tellOE

hearc1320

to hear recorda1500

understand1574

learn1756

1574 E. Hellowes tr. A. de Guevara Familiar Epist. 90 Pirrhus..was the first that inuented currers or postes: and in this case, he was..so vigilant, that..in one day he vnderstoode, from Rome:..and in fiue, out of Asia.

12.

a. In parenthetic use (chiefly I understand): To believe or assume, on account of information received or by inference.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > hold an opinion, opine [verb (intransitive)]

thinkOE

letc1200

understand1297

meana1398

esteem1576

intend?1577

opinionate1653

opine1655

1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 133 Þe kyng of norþhomberlond was king, ich vnderstonde, Of al þe lond biȝonde homber.

a1352 L. Minot Poems vii. 92 Þe teres he lete ful rathly ren Out of his eghen, I vnderstand.

1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 10 For thilke tyme, I understonde, The Lumbard made non eschange.

c1440 Generydes 16 Hire fader was a man of grete powre. And kyng of aufrike as I vnderstonde.

c1460 Merita Missæ 197 Thow ned the to fyght, I vndeyrstonde, With youre flesche, and with the fende.

1508 W. Kennedy Flyting (Chepman & Myllar) in Poems W. Dunbar (1998) I. 211 Thou lufis nane Irische, elf, I vnderstand, Bot it suld be all trew Scottis mennis lede.

1592 Arden of Feversham iv. iv. 4 He is coming from Shorlow as I vnder~stand.

1642 H. More Ψυχωδια Platonica sig. C5^v You are heavens privie counsellour I understand.

1898 ‘H. S. Merriman’ Roden's Corner xii. 124 Mr. Wade..was, he understood, distantly related to the mother.

†b. To speak of (= to mean) something. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > mean [verb (intransitive)]

bea1200

understand?c1425

sense1564

interpret1614

magnify1712

to speak for itself1779

to add up to1873

mean1926

?c1425 Crafte Nombrynge in R. Steele Earliest Arithm. in Eng. (1922) 4 Neuer-þe-les wen he say Prima significat vnum &c.,..he vndirstondes noȝt of þe first figure of euery rew.

†13. To be subject to one. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > subjection > be under authority [verb (intransitive)]

hearc893

understand?a1200

subservec1443

subjectc1475

acquiesce1660

truck1665

truckle1667

to be at the beck and call of1869

?a1200 in Kemble Cod. Dipl. IV. 193 Icc hate..ðæt alcc ða ðeȝnes of ðam landen hinnenforð understande to ðan abbod.

c1320 Cast. Love 246 He is þorw riht þeuwe and þral, To whos seruise he vnderstod with-al.

†14. To give heed, attend, listen, to one. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > attention > notice, observation > take note, observe [verb (intransitive)] > give ear, hearken

hearkenc1000

listc1000

understanda1200

listenc1225

hear1382

harka1400

to listen up1933

a1200 Moral Ode 227 Vnderstondeð nu to me, edi men and arme, Ich wulle tellen of helle pin.

13.. Guy of Warw. 1292 Lordinges, þan seyd þe douk Otoun, Under-stond to mi resoun.

a1325 Prose Psalter liv. 1 Here myn oreisoun, and ne despise þou nouȝt my praiere, vnder-stonde to me, and here me.

a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xxxii. 633 Vndirstonde to me, and I shall telle the thy dreme.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	understand
释义	† understandn. Etymology: < understand v. Obsolete. rare. 1. Understanding; knowledge. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > intellect > [noun] i-witc888 anyitOE witOE thoughtOE inwitc1305 intention1340 mindc1384 understandingc1384 intentc1386 intelligencec1390 intellecta1398 minda1398 understanda1400 intellectionc1449 ingeny1477 intellectivec1484 mind-sight1587 intellectual1598 notion1604 intelligency1663 mental1676 nous1678 grasp1683 thinker1835 Geist1871 noesis1881 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > [noun] i-witnessc888 knowledging?c1225 wittinga1300 beknowing1340 sciencec1350 bekenningc1380 knowinga1398 knowledgea1398 meaninga1398 cunningshipa1400 feela1400 understanda1400 cognizancec1400 kenningc1400 witc1400 recognizancec1436 cognition1447 recognitionc1450 cognoscencec1540 conscience1570 comprehension1597 comprehense1604 cognizant1634 sciency1642 scibility1677 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9326 ‘Ne i herd neuer,’ he said, ‘in land Men sua herd of vnder-stand’. 1444 Extr. Aberd. Rec. (1844) I. 10 It was cum til his vnderstand that Marioune..hes complaynit to the lorde of Erole that [etc.]. 2. Support, basis. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > low position > [noun] > condition of being placed under > that which lies under > base on which a thing rests staddlea900 groundc950 base?c1335 standinga1382 foundation1398 basingc1400 bottom1440 subjecta1500 groundworka1557 basis?a1560 pedestal1563 understand1580 footwork1611 centrea1616 underwork1624 skaddle1635 substructure1641 foot piece1657 pediment1660 seat1661 sedes1662 under-warp1668 plantationa1680 terrace1735 substructure1789 footing1791 seating1805 1580–90 J. Stewart Poems (1913) 149 Flie Sir, from sic, and lerne to vnderstand. Stand quhair ȝe vill, firm be ȝour vnderstand. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online December 2020). understandv. Brit. /ˌʌndəˈstand/, U.S. /ˌəndərˈstænd/ Forms: (see stand v.). Etymology: Old English understondan , -standan (under- prefix¹ 4a(a)), = Old Frisian understonda, Middle Danish understande, Middle Swedish undi(r)standa, Old Icelandic (as a foreign word) undirstanda. Compare Middle Low German understân to understand, to step under, Middle Dutch onderstaen (Dutch -staan), Middle High German understân, -stên (German unterstehen), to take upon oneself, to venture, presume, etc. With a different prefix, the same use of stand appears in Old English forstandan, Old Saxon farstandan, Old High German far-, firstantan (firstân), and Middle High German verstân, -stên (German verstehen), Middle Dutch verstaen (Dutch -staan). In the 15th and 16th centuries three forms of the past participle were current, viz. (a) the original understanden (also -stonden), in use till about 1550; (b) the reduced form of this, understande (-stonde), -stand (-stond), common till about 1575, and surviving into the 17th cent.; (c) the new form understanded (-stonded), very common from about 1530 to 1585. The occurrence of understanded in the Thirty-Nine Articles, xxxv, in the phrase ‘understanded of the people’, has given rise to recent echoes of it, especially in journalistic use. The modern form understood came into use in the latter part of the 16th cent., and was usual by 1600. I. transitive. 1. a. To comprehend; to apprehend the meaning or import of; to grasp the idea of. ΚΠ c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxxix. §8 Se godcunda foreþonc hit understent eall swiðe rihte, þeah..we ne cunnon þæt riht understandan. c1000 Ælfric Homilies I. 188 Wæs seo ealde æ swiðe earfoðe and digle to understandenne. a1225 Leg. Kath. 1013 Liht to ure lare, þet tu mahe stihen to under~stonden in him godes muchele strencðe. c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 11/343 Þe Aumperour þis onder-stod, þei he heþene were. 1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 609 Ȝe ne vndurstonde nouht þat stounde þe storie of þis wordus. a1450 Mirk's Festial 3 Whech noyse God hymselfe schall know and vndyrstond. 1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer iii. f. cccliii If these thynges be wel vnderstond I wene that non inconuenyent shalt thou fynde betwene goddes forwetyng & lyberte of arbitrement. 1534 W. Turner tr. J. von Watt Of Olde God & Newe sig. Pv The multytude of dyuerse ceremonyes..not being vnderstanded nor perceyued of the comen sorte..of people. 1548 R. Hutten tr. J. Spangenberg Sum of Diuinitie sig. Eiv^v The sentence shal be better understande if it be changed into a comparyson to an other. 1600 J. Pory tr. J. Leo Africanus Geogr. Hist. Afr. iii. 155 A man may much more easily vnder~stand the text then the exposition thereof. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 376 Now clear I understand What oft my steddiest thoughts have searcht in vain. View more context for this quotation 1733 G. Berkeley Theory of Vision §27. 23 I have considered and endeavoured to understand your Remarks. 1816 J. Austen Emma I. ix. 171 One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other. View more context for this quotation 1891 F. W. Farrar Darkness & Dawn I. xxi. 191 The young prince saw that they were in possession of something more divine than the world could understand. reflexive.c1275 in Old Eng. Misc. 45/297 Peter a-non þer-after hyne vnderstod Hwat his louerd hedde iseyd. b. To be thoroughly acquainted or familiar with (an art, profession, etc.); to be able to practise or deal with properly. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > familiarity > know, be conversant with [verb (transitive)] witc888 yknoweOE witOE canOE knowOE kenc1330 acquainta1393 quaint1509 understand1541 to summer and winter1602 possess1607 1541 T. Elyot Castel of Helthe (new ed.) A ij The science of phisicke,..beyng well vnderstande, truely experienced, and discretely ordred. 1622 J. Taylor Farewell to Tower-bottles A 4 When Vpland Trades-men thus dares take in hand A wat'ry buis'nesse, they not vnderstand. 1681 J. Chetham Angler's Vade Mecum xxxix. 167 I will not deny, but that (as the times phrase it) I understand somthing of Eating. 1727 A. Hamilton New Acct. E. Indies II. 93 He..understood a small Sword excellently well, but [was] not much versed in Merchandize or foreign Commerce. 1768 Earl of Carlisle in J. H. Jesse G. Selwyn & his Contemp. (1843) II. 292 Get somebody who understands it to taste it [sc. claret] for you. 1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward III. iii. 72 Galeotti..understood his own profession too well to let that ignorance be seen. 1859 Habits Good Society v. 221 Thomas, bring that fowl to me; Mr. Jones [who is trying to carve it] seems not to understand it. c. To apprehend clearly the character or nature of (a person). Also reflexive. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > penetrate, discern [verb (transitive)] piercea1398 to look througha1525 insee1541 penetrate?1563 to see through ——1565 to look through ——1580 understand1587 to break through1597 fathom1633 unfathom1707 1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. v. 57 God then conceyued and vnderstood himselfe; and it must needes be that he vnderstood himselfe, seeing that the chiefest wisedome is to knowe ones selfe. 1588 T. Kyd tr. T. Tasso Housholders Philos. f. 17^v So y^t the seruaunt, if you will rightly vnderstand him, is..A liuely & seueral instrument of action. 1846 A. Marsh Father Darcy II. viii. 137 It is my misfortune to be little understood; but our praise is not of men, but of God. 1874 J. Parker Paraclete i. ix. 142 We cannot understand Christ until we understand Moses, nor can we understand the spirit until we understand Christ. †d. reflexive (a) To know one's place, or how to conduct oneself properly. (b) To be in possession of one's senses or faculties. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > mental health > be sane [verb (reflexive)] understand1603 the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > behave well [verb (reflexive)] > know how to behave understand1603 (a) 1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. iii. 96 You do not vnderstand your selfe So well as befits my honor. 1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Eeeev/1 To understand himself, to know how to carry himself, savoir se conduire. 1745 J. Mason Treat. Self-knowl. i. iii. 39 Nothing is more common than to say, when a Person does not behave with due Decency towards his Superiors, such a one does not understand himself. (b)1696 J. Aubrey Miscellanies 136 He was an Hundred Years old when my Friend was with him; and yet, did understand himself very well. 2. a. To comprehend by knowing the meaning of the words employed; to be acquainted with (a language) to this extent. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > know, be aware of [verb (transitive)] witc888 underyetec893 knowOE acknowOE understanda1000 seeOE awitc1200 wota1300 beknowc1300 kena1400 cognizance1642 suppose1843 the mind > language > a language > using or speaking languages > speak a language [verb (transitive)] > understand a language understanda1000 reada1400 a1000 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 100 Sprec us æfter urum andgyte þæt we magon understandan þa þing þe þu specst. c1275 in Old Eng. Misc. 56/668 Eueruych þer vnderstod his icunde speche. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2210 Wende here non it on his mod, Oc Iosep al it under-stod. a1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame ii. 2 Now herkeneth, euery maner man That englissh under~stonde kan. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 232 Þis ilk bok is es translate..For the loue of Inglis lede..For the commun at understand. c1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xxix. 131 Neuer þe latter þai wate noȝt whare þai myght aryfe, and also þai schuld noȝt vnderstand þer langage. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Gen. xi. B Let vs..confounde their tonge euen there, y^t one vnderstonde not what another saieth [cōfounde & euē (euen) in text]. c1595 Capt. Wyatt in G. F. Warner Voy. R. Dudley to W. Indies (1899) 40 All theire conference was in the Indian tounge, which our Captaine nor anie of his companie did understande. 1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 250 The Arabike I vnderstand not. 1659 T. Burton Diary (1828) IV. 6 Seeing we all understand not French, let us take his word; that is English. 1716 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1901) V. 314 He does not understand Latin. 1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 46 The Spaniards, two of whom understand English well enough. 1842 Ld. Tennyson Vision of Sin in Poems (new ed.) II. 226 An answer peal'd.., But in a tongue no man could understand. b. To grasp the meaning or purport of the words (or signs) used by (a person). ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (transitive)] > reach understanding of > words or meaning takec1175 understanda1225 intenda1400 conceive?1526 accept1587 construe1622 to catch a person's drift1821 comprehend1860 to get on to ——1880 read1956 a1225 Leg. Kath. 1641 Beo nu þenne, Porphire, stille & understont me. a1300 Cursor Mundi 2260 Bot sua he mengud þam þair mode, þat naman oþer vndirstode. c1386 G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale 520 A maner latyn corrupt was hir speche, But algates ther by was she vnderstonde. c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lx. 208 Thus they compleynyd them one to another, and Huon, who was nere them, vnderstode them well. 1566 T. Stapleton Returne Vntruthes Jewelles Replie iii. 110 b To praie, it was not requisit he should be vnderstanded, For that was done..by sighynges. a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iv. ii. 238 Thou didst vnder~stand me by my signes. View more context for this quotation 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 58 Forthwith a hideous gabble rises loud Among the Builders; each to other calls Not understood . View more context for this quotation 1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 61 When he eats he speaks to no body, but makes himself be understood by signs to the mute Buffoons. 1838 E. Bulwer-Lytton Leila ii. i. 68 ‘Thou understandest me, father?’ ‘I do. I know your pious heart and well-judging mind.’ 1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair lvi. 503 Pretending to understand little George when he spoke regarding them. reflexive.c1535 Ploughman's Tale iii. sig. C.ii^v Yet he iangleth as a iaye And vnderstont hym selfe nothyng.a1625 J. Fletcher Women Pleas'd iv. iii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Eeeeee3/1 What Treason's that? do's this fellow understand Himselfe? c. to understand each other, to be in agreement or collusion; to be confederates. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > social relations > association for a common purpose > associate for common purpose [verb (intransitive)] jousta1325 ally?a1400 joinc1400 associe1441 confederc1460 to stick together1525 band1530 to join forces1560 colleaguec1565 alliance1569 to enter league1578 unite1579 interleague1590 confederate1591 to join hands1598 combine1608 injointa1616 combinda1626 bandy1633 comply1646 federate1648 leaguea1649 associate1653 coalesce1657 to understand each other1663 sociate1688 to row in the same (also in one) boat1787 rendezvous1817 to make common cause (with)1845 to sing the same song1846 cahoot1857 to gang up1910 jungle1922 1663 in Extracts State Papers (Friends' Hist. Soc.) (1911) 2nd Ser. 171 The Quakers..with all other Sects are fully agreed in this business and doe perfectly understand each other. 1675 in C. E. Pike Essex Papers (1913) II. 24 Its so apparent..that they understand one another. 1852 R. S. Surtees Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour i. vii. 30 ‘You trust me,’ replied Leather,..with a look as much as to say, ‘we understand each other’. 3. a. To comprehend as a fact; to grasp clearly, to realize. Chiefly with clause as object. ΚΠ c1000 Ælfric Lives Saints xxv. 178 Under-stand be ðam hu se ælmihtiga god hi ealle gesceop..of nahte. c1012 Wulfstan Homilies 156 Understandað eac..þæt deofol þas þeode nu fela geara dwelode. a1200 Vices & Virtues 19 Vnderstandeþ, alle ðe ðis radeþ oðer ihereð,..þe muchele ðolemodnesse of us on ðese liue. ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 54 Swa þe feont vnder stont anan richt hire wacnesse. c1315 Shoreham i. 652 Nou onderstand: þe signe her Fourme hys of wyne and brede. 1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 140 And understond that al this peine..Is schape al only for thi pride. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 14874 Quat he was þai noght vnderstode. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4249 Sir putifar wel vndirstod þat ioseph was o gentil blod. c1425 J. Lydgate Assembly of Gods 2040 I cowde nat vndyrstande Where he became, but sodenly As he came, he went. 1486 Bk. St. Albans d ij Understonde ye that a Goshawke shulde not flie to any fowle. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) John viii. 27 Howbeit they vnderstode not, that he spake of the father. 1558 Bp. T. Watson Holsome Doctr. Seuen Sacramentes xxi. f. cxxviii He hath often tymes with his reason vnderstande..what God hath commaunded and the goodnes of it. 1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lxvii. 175 Thus much they knewe, although as yet they vnderstoode not perfectly to what effect or issue the same would come. 1710 J. Addison Whig Examiner 14 Sept. ⁋3 This Œdipus, you must understand,..was son to a King of Thebes. 1781 W. Cowper Expostulation 159 They..could not under~stand That sin let loose speaks punishment at hand. 1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci iv. i. 61 Tell her to come; yet let her understand Her coming is consent. 1862 H. Spencer First Princ. i. iv. §23. 70 You now understand..what has disabled the partridge. †b. With reflexive pronoun. Obsolete. rare. ΚΠ c1175 Lamb. Hom. 35 For-þi leofemen understondet eouseluen þa hwile ȝe mahten: Nis þas weorld nawiht. c1320 Cast. Love 1131 A! Mon, nim ȝeme and vnderstond þe Hou fynliche in herte God loueþ þe. †c. To ascertain the purport of (a letter, etc.) by perusal and consideration. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 50 We fulliche vndirstondend ȝour lettres sent to vs,..do ȝow openliche to wetyn [etc.]. c1400 Brut ii. 318 The which lettres, whan þe kyng..had seyn & vndirstonden, he had grete compassioun. 1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1558) viii. xxv. 16 b Your letters red and plainly vnderstande. c1503 tr. Charter of London in R. Arnold Chron. f. iiij^v/1 We haue vnderstand the charter the whiche the lorde herry..made to y^e citezens of london in thes wordes. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. xiv. 14 Whan all the cases and dedis that the kyng had done..were red, and wel understand. 4. a. To grasp as a fixed or established fact or principle; to regard as settled or implied without specific mention. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > agreement, concurrence, or unanimity > agree with [verb (transitive)] > regard as agreed understandc1055 to call (it) square1891 c1055 Byrhtferth's Handboc in Anglia (1885) 8 304 Þis ylce understand be þam oðrum dagum. c1400 N. Love tr. Bonaventura Mirror Life Christ (1908) 9 It is to vndirstonde..as for a principal and general rule, that [etc.]. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. lv^v Than it is to be vnderstande what goodes a man shall take with hym. 1553 R. Eden in tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India Pref. sig. aavij The lyke is to be vnderstande of Popingiayes and spyces. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 662 Warr then, Warr Open or understood must be resolv'd. View more context for this quotation 1854 Poultry Chron. 2 363 It must be also under~stood that no alteration can be made in the prices. b. To have knowledge of, to know or learn, by information received. (Now merged in 4c.)Frequently in to give or †do (one) to understand: see do v. 29b(b), give v. 29b. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > have knowledge, know [verb (transitive)] i-witec900 wit971 yknowOE canOE i-kenc1000 seeOE yknowOE understanda1131 knowlOE can (or could) skillc1340 cona1387 havec1405 kyd1530 weeta1547 digest1549 wist1580 wis1606 savvy1686 sabe1850 a1131 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1127 Se ilce Heanri dide þone king to understandene þæt he hæfde [etc.]. ?a1200 in Kemble Cod. Dipl. IV. 218 I do ȝowe to understonden ðat I wolle ðat ðe prestes..haue euere soke and sake ouere alle heore men. a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 5262 Whan þe worþi william..hade vnderston þe tidinges to þende, to þe menskful messageres he made glad chere. c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Prol. 470 Now wole I seyn what penaunce thow schalt do For thyn trespace, & vndyrstonde it here. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 19919 Whenne he his comynge vndirstode. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 12342 To þe leones coue he yod, þar he þe quelpes vnder-stod. 1423 Kingis Quair cxxvii My son, I..vnderstond, Be thy reherse, the matere of thy gref. 1482 in H. E. Malden Cely Papers (1900) 128 I wndyrstonde be Robard Eryke that ȝe hafe ij fayr hawkes. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccccj^v I require you..that you wyll make a direct aunswer..and let me vnderstande it to morrowe. 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xv. 16 b The great displeasure he would take, when he should vnderstand the great dammage which the Turks had done. 1611 B. Jonson Catiline iv. sig. L1^v I vnderstand by Quintus Fabius Sanga,..you haue beene lately Sollicited against the Common-wealth. View more context for this quotation c1665 L. Hutchinson Mem. Col. Hutchinson (1973) 263 When the Collonell's wife understood her husband's bad accommodation. c. To take or accept as a fact, without positive knowledge or certainty; to get as an impression or idea; to believe. Chiefly with object clause. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > accept as true, believe [verb (transitive)] ylevec888 leve971 ween971 i-weneOE takec1175 trowc1175 truth?c1250 thinka1275 believec1300 trustc1325 hold1340 trist1340 to give (one's) faith to (also unto)c1405 accept?c1430 admitc1449 credencea1529 to take a person at his (also her) word1535 credit1547 faith1576 to take a person's word1576 receive1581 creed1596 understand1751 Adam and Eve1925 buy1926 1751 R. Paltock Life Peter Wilkins II. x. 112 As I understand your great Ancestor would have come into it..but for the Ragams. 1788 W. Cowper Let. 6 May (1982) III. 156 The General, I understand by his last Letter, is in Town. 1825 T. Hook Sayings & Doings 2nd Ser. I. 217 I understood from Mr. Abberly..that I should find him, if I called at this time of the day. 1829 W. Scott Anne of Geierstein III. xi. 310 They understood it was his wish to observe incognito. 1858 Congressional Globe 18 Feb. 752/1 I understand the gentleman from Illinois to give way. The Chairman. The Chair understands not. 1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ At Bay vii. 105 It was understood she had made an engagement to go to India. 5. a. To take, interpret, or view in a certain way. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > explanation, exposition > interpretation > particular interpretation, construction > interpret in particular way [verb (transitive)] understandc1000 interpretc1380 construea1400 construec1465 to make (a) construction1528 expound1533 confera1555 reada1556 decipher1569 resemble1592 intellect1599 c1000 Ags. Psalter xxi. 2 Ne understand þu hit me to unrihtwisnesse. c1000 Ælfric Lives Saints xxv. 472 Æwfestlice understandende be ure ealra æriste. c1175 Lamb. Hom. 75 Þis word..mon mei understonden on þro wise. c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4425 Þe dragon es understanden þe fende..And þe thred part of þe sternes bright Er cristen men undirstanden right. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 337 Bot þou sal noght þou vndirstand þat he wroght al his werc wit hand. a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Nero) viii. xi. 1928 Þir wordis in to propyrte Al þus may vndirstandyn be. 1533 J. Frith Bk. answeringe Mores Let. sig. Aij^v I shewed hym that it was not necessarie, that the wordes shulde so be vnderstonde as they sownde. ?1566 W. P. tr. C. S. Curio Pasquine in Traunce 107 That which Christ speaketh..of many false Prophets..may be vnderstand to be the sundry sectes of Monkes and Fryers. 1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 188 b The Major must be understanded, that Paule treated not of the cause..but of the execution and effect of predestination. 1645 Docqets Lett. Pat. at Oxf. (1837) 257 Which Forces shalbe vnderstoode to be in the nature of Posse Comitatus. 1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. iv. §8 Some understand the first words..that he was not born a Prophet. 1772 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra II. lxviii. 310 You, Lord Mansfield, did not understand me so. 1835 T. Mitchell in tr. Aristophanes Acharnians 339 (note) Elmsley understands this word in its legal sense. 1860 J. W. Warter Sea-board & Down II. 492 I do not quite know how Miss Bremer..intended these words to be understood. b. Const. by. (In passive passing into the sense of ‘is signified’.) ΚΠ c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 1681 Bi þe name of ded may be tane, And understanden ma dedes þan ane. 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xii. 257 By þe po feet is vnderstonde..Excecutoures, fals frendes. c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 69 By þis man is vnderstondyn feynar þat is fals, and lufiþ his synne. 1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope i. i By the cok is to vnderstond the fool whiche retcheth not of sapyence. c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 11 All the cristin men yat war vnderstandin be the grene blude. 1502 tr. Ordynarye of Crysten Men (de Worde) i. iii. sig. d.i ^v By y^e coniuracyon y^e whiche is made vnto y^e lefte eere is vnderstande y^t he ought to put out of vs all euyll thoughtes. 1561 J. Daus tr. H. Bullinger Hundred Serm. vpon Apocalips xli. 271 We reade..that there was an Aungel of Grece, and an Angel of Persia, and that by them the whole people are vnderstand. 1578 J. Banister Hist. Man i. f. 18^v You shall heare what space is to be vnderstanded by the name of Necke. a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iv. iii. 95 Ros. What must we vnderstand by this? Oli. Some of my shame. View more context for this quotation 1651 C. Cartwright Certamen Religiosum i. 296 Estius..saith that Chrysostome and his followers by sacrifice then understand..Baptisme. 1727 D. Defoe Syst. Magick i. i. 25 After this Story no Man need enquire what the World understood by the Magicians and Astrologers, and wise Men of those Days. 1772 J. Adams tr. A. de Ulloa Voy. S. Amer. (ed. 3) I. 440 The llama, to which the Indians added the name of runa, to denote an India sheep; that beast being now under~stood by the runa-llama. 1865 J. Ruskin Sesame & Lilies i. 6 We do not understand by this advancement, in general, the mere making of money. c. Const. of. ΚΠ 1549 H. Latimer 1st Serm. before Kynges Grace sig. Av^v The forsaid words of Paull are not to be vnderstande of all scriptures. 1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 43 b He demaundeth of us, what is to be understanded of those Sacramentes which we doe reteine. 1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 110 Which is true, if understood only of the Rivers of Italy. 1861 F. A. Paley in tr. Æschylus Prometheus in Trag. (ed. 2) 898 (note) This is to be literally understood of the gadfly's sting. †d. to understand, to wit, namely. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > specifically [phrase] > namely or that is to say id esteOE that is to sayc1175 that is to wit1340 that is to witting1340 to say1547 to wit1577 to understand1579 1579 J. Dee 15 June in Private Diary (1842) 5 To my heires and assignes for ever, to understand, Mr. Bullok and Mr. Taylor. †e. To mean, to imply. (Cf. 12b) Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > mean [verb (transitive)] meaneOE beholdc1175 spele?c1225 bemeana1300 amountc1300 willa1382 import1425 employ1528 intend?c1530 would say1564 understand1617 spella1661 1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 227 Distant from Ierusalem some fiue miles, (in Turky I alwaies vnderstand Italian miles). †6. a. To give heed to, attend to. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)] yemec897 understandc1000 beseea1225 heeda1225 bihedec1250 tentc1330 to look into ——c1350 rewardc1350 undertakea1382 considerc1385 recorda1393 behold?a1400 receivea1425 advertc1425 attend1432 advertise?a1439 regard1526 respect1543 eye?c1550 mind1559 panse1559 to take knowledge of1566 to consider of1569 suspect1590 pass1609 matter1652 watch1676 c1000 Ælfric Lives Saints xxiii b 186 Þæt geswinc his syðfætes ne understandende..[he] arn. c1275 Old Eng. Misc. 90/8 Þu ert help in engelaunde. Vre stephne vnderstonde. c1320 Cast. Love 953 Ȝif þou wole me louen and vnderstonde, I chul þe bringe in-to þin owne londe. c1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 48 Gouerne hem wyth goodnesse, and vnderstonde hem wyth debonertee. †b. To receive, accept. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > acquisition > receiving > receive [verb (transitive)] > accept onfangeOE fangOE to take with ——lOE takec1175 understandc1200 afangc1275 receivec1330 accepta1382 'lowa1382 except1393 to take up1570 to take a person up on (something)1807 to take up1810 c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 99 Ech þe understandeð þat holi husel unwurðliche, he understant him seluen eche pine. c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 167 Þis holie maiden..stehȝ þis dai..in to þan heuenliche bure, þar heo was wurðliche understonden. c1275 Old Eng. Misc. 90/3 Haly thomas of heoueriche Alle apostles eueliche Þe Martyrs þe vnder~stonde. c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 2814 And siþen shal ich under-stonde Of you..Manrede, and holde oþes boþe. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2275 Al ðo briðere..bedden him riche present... And he leuelike it under-stod. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 2432 Þe king..comanded þorou-out his lande men sulde him mensk and vnderstande. †c. To conceive. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > life > biology > biological processes > procreation or reproduction > conception > conceive [verb (transitive)] onfangOE underfoa1100 afanglOE understandc1200 underfonga1300 conceptionc1350 conceivea1400 concept1603 c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 21 Þu shalt understonde [Lamb. Hom. 77, underfon] child on þine innoðe. 7. a. To recognize or regard as present in thought, though not expressly stated or mentioned; to supply mentally. Chiefly Grammar. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > hidden or indirect meaning > communicate secretively [verb (transitive)] > recognize hidden meaning understand1530 subaud1826 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 342 Whan we use ‘they’ or ‘them’, under~standyng femynin substantyves, they use ever elles. 1533 T. More Answere Poysened Bk. i. xiiii. f. lv Though those wordes were out, yet they be such as the sentence wolde well requyre to repete and vnderstande. a1704 T. Brown Ess. Satire Antients in Wks. (1720) I. 15 The Ancient Romans said Saturam under~standing Lancem. 1861 F. A. Paley Æschylus (ed. 2) Seven against Thebes 249 (note) Understand χαρίζοιο ἂν, or something to that effect, suppressed by aposiopesis. b. In past participle: Implied, though not expressed. ΚΠ 1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 102 You resemble in your sayings the Painter Tamantes, in whose pictures there was euer, more vnderstoode then painted. 1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 200 Admit this also that god's name is not expressed, yet have ye not taught us that it is not understanded here. 1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes v. §1. 410 Circumstantiall words, which are as bonds to knit word to word, it leaveth to be understood. 1669 J. Milton Accedence 59 A Noun and Pronoun with a Participle exprest or understood. a1753 R. Newton tr. Theophrastus Characters (1754) 238 Here is an ellipsis of the substantive; which Lambert Bos hath not supply'd, and therefore I will venture to do it by ὁδὸν understood. 1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. iv. v. 192 An exception in favour of the Nabob..was, from standing usage, so much understood, that to express it had appeared altogether useless. 1835 T. Mitchell in tr. Aristophanes Acharnians 675 (note) The verb σκόπει or ὅρα is here understood. 1872 Punch 13 July 19/2 In order that any matter of business should be perfectly intelligible, nothing should be ‘understood’. figurative.1858 T. J. Hogg Life Shelley II. 417 There was an ellipsis of his waistcoat; it was not expressed, but understood. †8. a. In passive: To be informed, advised, or (so) minded. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > communication > information > action of informing > be informed [verb (passive)] understandc1275 c1275 Old Eng. Misc. 52/518 We beoþ vnderstonde þes ilke swike seyde..Ich wile þene þridde day aryse from deþe to lyue. 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 9300 Ȝif þou seist it vor noble kunne, þou nart noȝt wel vnderstonde, Vor ich was þe kinges sone, þou wost wel, of þis londe. c1440 Pallad. on Husb. iii. 196 Tho thre wol multiplie, As semeth me, in euery maner lond; Yet Columelle is so not understonde. †b. To plan, devise. With reflexive dative. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > invention, devising > invent, devise [verb (transitive)] findeOE understand1297 devisea1300 shapec1381 warpa1387 enginec1400 weavec1420 reparel1434 studyc1530 conjecture1551 spina1575 ingeniate1592 think1599 to pattern out1601 decoct1602 smooth1603 to fetch about1611 fancy1635 plait1642 erect1646 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 8877 Þe king vor ire eritage him gan vnderstonde To bringe roberd is sone..in is warison þere. 9. To stand under. †Also spec., to support or assist; to prop up. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > [verb (transitive)] lasteOE i-hentc1225 uphold?c1225 upbeara1300 sustainc1300 understand13.. uplift1338 maintainc1350 supporta1393 underset1395 buttressc1400 supprise1447 bolster1508 stay1526 stay1526 undershore?a1534 underpropa1535 to hold up by the chin1546 back1548 suborn1548 suffult?c1550 upshore?1567 shoulder1577 upstay1600 underwrite1609 abone1622 crutch1641 float1823 backstop1956 the world > space > relative position > low position > put in low position [verb (transitive)] > have position under > stand under understand13.. the world > space > relative position > support > [verb (transitive)] > by or as something placed underneath undersetc1220 understiprec1230 underpin1533 pin1589 underbuild1610 understand1632 understay1679 13.. Northern Passion (Add. MS.) 1751 Sayne Iohn hir body [v.r. Cristis word wel] vndir stude. ?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads v. 687 Alcander, and a number more, he slew, and more had slain, If Hector had not understood. ?1615 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses (new ed.) iv. 346 To let him reach the shore Of ships and tents before Troy understood. a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) ii. v. 29 Why, stand-vnder: and vnder-stand is all one. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iii. i. 78 My legges do better vnderstand me sir, then I vnderstand what you meane. View more context for this quotation] 1632 T. Heywood Iron Age v. i Thy rude hand Would lift a shield, thou canst not vnder stand. 1883 Academy 16 June 419/2 A full set of collations ‘understands’ the text. II. intransitive. 10. a. To have comprehension or understanding (in general or in a particular matter). ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (intransitive)] seeOE understandc1000 knowlOE tellc1390 conceive1563 smoke1676 overstand1699 view1711 savvy1785 dig1789 twig1832 capisce1904 the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (transitive)] yknoweOE acknowOE anyeteOE latchc1000 undernimc1000 understandc1000 underyetec1000 afindOE knowOE seeOE onfangc1175 takec1175 underfindc1200 underfonga1300 undertakea1300 kenc1330 gripea1340 comprehend1340 comprendc1374 espyc1374 perceivea1387 to take for ——?1387 catcha1398 conceivea1398 intenda1400 overtakea1400 tenda1400 havec1405 henta1450 comprise1477 skilla1500 brook1548 apprend1567 compass1576 perstanda1577 endue1590 sound1592 engrasp1593 in1603 fathom1611 resent1614 receivea1616 to take up1617 apprehend1631 to take in1646 grasp1680 understumblec1681 forstand1682 savvy1686 overstand1699 uptake1726 nouse1779 twig1815 undercumstand1824 absorb1840 sense1844 undercumstumble1854 seize1855 intelligize1865 dig1935 read1956 the mind > mental capacity > belief > supposition, surmise > suppose, surmise [verb (intransitive)] understandc1000 movea1325 thinka1533 imagine1579 wend1581 s'pose1632 surmise1820 c1000 Ælfric Homilies I. 302 [Þam men] is gemæne mid nytenum, þæt he gefrede; mid englum, þæt he understande. c1012 Wulfstan Homilies 161 Eall þæt syndon micle and egeslice dæda, understande se ðe wille. 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 2221 Sire king,..ȝif þou wolt understonde, Deol þou miȝt abbe in þin herte of þin kunde londe. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 56 Huanne þe glotoun geþ in to þe tauerne..he..specþ wel and onderstant; huan he comþ ayen, he heþ al þis uorlore. c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. II. 13 Ȝit ȝe knowun not, ne undir~stonden; ȝit ȝour herte is blyndid. c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 14 The quhilk lettis to haue perfyte resoun..to vnderstand rychtwisly. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 767/2 For as farre as I can understande, it is so. 1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. v. 55 Albeit that of the things which are in this world, some vnderstand, and some vnderstand not;..all of them are appoynted to some certeyne end. a1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Honest Mans Fortune v. i, in Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Xxxxx3^v/2 All women that on earth do dwell thou lov'st, Yet none that understand love thee again. 1673 J. Milton Psalm LXXXII in Poems (new ed.) 150 They know not nor will understand, In darkness they walk on. 1746 P. Francis tr. Horace in P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Epistles i. xiv. 64 By my Advice, let each with chearful Heart, As best he understands, employ his Art. 1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 234 Man's heart had been impenetrably sealed,..Had not his Maker's all-bestowing hand Giv'n him a soul and bade him understand. 1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam xcv. 145 She dwells on him with faithful eyes, ‘I cannot understand: I love’. View more context for this quotation b. Const. about, †of. †Also with reflexive dative. ΚΠ c1000 Ælfric Homilies I. 10 Englas..ne magon fulfremedlice understandan ymbe God. ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 156 Nis..nan mon. þet ne mai understonden him of his sunnen nomeliche. a1300 [see sense 10c]. 1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 56 Certes gentil knight, I knowe wel my self & vnderstonde of this marchandyse. 1860 W. Collins Woman in White I. xv. 187 You quite understand about that little matter of business being safe in my hands? 1892 J. H. McCarthy 1001 Days II. 7 I under~stood about precious stones, and I had reason to hope that I should not do badly in the business. †c. To know how to do something. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > familiarity > be or become conversant [verb (intransitive)] > know how to understanda1300 wit1340 to know of ——c1350 kenc1400 skilla1586 a1300 Cursor Mundi 24792 Willam basterd..conquerur was gode, And for to warrai [c1375 of þe were he] vnderstode. 1723 tr. F. C. Weber Present State Russia I. 337 A Hatchet, which their Carpenters understand to handle with more Skill than those of any Nation whatsoever. †11. a. To have knowledge or information, to learn, of something. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > have knowledge of [verb (intransitive)] canOE to know of ——c1350 savoura1382 understanda1400 kenc1400 weeta1547 to keep up to1712 to know about ——1761 to be (or get) wise to1896 to wise up1905 to have heard of1907 to be (or get) jerry (on, on to, to)1908 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 19919 Quen he of his comming vnderstode, Sone he ras and gain þaim him ȝode. a1400 Octouian 1589 Anoon the kyng..dede hem alle to vnther~stonde Of the Soudanes fyght. 1401 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. I. 22 We do yow to understonde of tydynges the weche we have yherd of Owein Glyndor. 1509 in J. Gairdner Historia Regis Henrici Septimi (1858) 435 Howbe that ye wold mervel in case that ye understode of al the maters that hathe passyd. 1629 A. Baker Let. 3 June in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. III. 256 I was gladde to understande of your life and health, which this bearer..made knowen unto me. 1653 R. Codrington Lloyd's Marrow of Hist. (new ed.) xvii. 116 The Philosopher..having understood of his mothers death. 1661 in Reg. Privy Council Scotl. 3rd Ser. I. 5 I shall not know nor understand of any maner of thing..against his Majesties persone..bot I shall lett and withstand the same. †b. To get news, receive intelligence. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ society > communication > information > action of informing > give information [verb (intransitive)] > be informed hear tellOE hearc1320 to hear recorda1500 understand1574 learn1756 1574 E. Hellowes tr. A. de Guevara Familiar Epist. 90 Pirrhus..was the first that inuented currers or postes: and in this case, he was..so vigilant, that..in one day he vnderstoode, from Rome:..and in fiue, out of Asia. 12. a. In parenthetic use (chiefly I understand): To believe or assume, on account of information received or by inference. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > hold an opinion, opine [verb (intransitive)] thinkOE letc1200 understand1297 meana1398 esteem1576 intend?1577 opinionate1653 opine1655 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 133 Þe kyng of norþhomberlond was king, ich vnderstonde, Of al þe lond biȝonde homber. a1352 L. Minot Poems vii. 92 Þe teres he lete ful rathly ren Out of his eghen, I vnderstand. 1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 10 For thilke tyme, I understonde, The Lumbard made non eschange. c1440 Generydes 16 Hire fader was a man of grete powre. And kyng of aufrike as I vnderstonde. c1460 Merita Missæ 197 Thow ned the to fyght, I vndeyrstonde, With youre flesche, and with the fende. 1508 W. Kennedy Flyting (Chepman & Myllar) in Poems W. Dunbar (1998) I. 211 Thou lufis nane Irische, elf, I vnderstand, Bot it suld be all trew Scottis mennis lede. 1592 Arden of Feversham iv. iv. 4 He is coming from Shorlow as I vnder~stand. 1642 H. More Ψυχωδια Platonica sig. C5^v You are heavens privie counsellour I understand. 1898 ‘H. S. Merriman’ Roden's Corner xii. 124 Mr. Wade..was, he understood, distantly related to the mother. †b. To speak of (= to mean) something. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > mean [verb (intransitive)] bea1200 understand?c1425 sense1564 interpret1614 magnify1712 to speak for itself1779 to add up to1873 mean1926 ?c1425 Crafte Nombrynge in R. Steele Earliest Arithm. in Eng. (1922) 4 Neuer-þe-les wen he say Prima significat vnum &c.,..he vndirstondes noȝt of þe first figure of euery rew. †13. To be subject to one. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > be under authority [verb (intransitive)] hearc893 understand?a1200 subservec1443 subjectc1475 acquiesce1660 truck1665 truckle1667 to be at the beck and call of1869 ?a1200 in Kemble Cod. Dipl. IV. 193 Icc hate..ðæt alcc ða ðeȝnes of ðam landen hinnenforð understande to ðan abbod. c1320 Cast. Love 246 He is þorw riht þeuwe and þral, To whos seruise he vnderstod with-al. †14. To give heed, attend, listen, to one. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > attention > notice, observation > take note, observe [verb (intransitive)] > give ear, hearken hearkenc1000 listc1000 understanda1200 listenc1225 hear1382 harka1400 to listen up1933 a1200 Moral Ode 227 Vnderstondeð nu to me, edi men and arme, Ich wulle tellen of helle pin. 13.. Guy of Warw. 1292 Lordinges, þan seyd þe douk Otoun, Under-stond to mi resoun. a1325 Prose Psalter liv. 1 Here myn oreisoun, and ne despise þou nouȝt my praiere, vnder-stonde to me, and here me. a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xxxii. 633 Vndirstonde to me, and I shall telle the thy dreme. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < n.a1400v.c888
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† understandn.

understandv.