understandingn.
/ˌʌndəˈstandɪŋ/, U.S. /ˌəndərˈstændɪŋ/ 1. † d. Mind, purpose, intent. Obsolete. rare.
a. (Without article.) Power or ability to understand; intellect, intelligence. Sometimes spec. = 1c.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > [noun]
witOE
understandinga1050
intention1340
intendmentc1374
knowledgea1387
intelligencec1390
conceitc1405
intellect?a1475
perceiverancea1500
perceiverationa1500
receipta1500
intendiment1528
reach1542
apprehension1570
toucha1586
understandingnessa1628
apprehensivenessa1639
ingenuity1651
comprehensiona1662
intelligibility1661
intelligency1663
uptake1816
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > [noun]
i-witc888
anyitOE
understandinga1050
ferec1175
skillwisenessa1200
quaintisec1300
brainc1325
cunning1340
reder1340
cunningnessa1400
sentencec1400
intelligence?1435
speculation1471
ingeny1474
cunningheadc1475
capacity1485
pregnancyc1487
dexterity1527
pregnance?1533
shift1542
wittiness1543
ingeniousness1555
conceitedness1576
pate1598
conceit1604
ingeniosity1607
dexterousness1622
talent1622
ingenuousness1628
solertiousnessa1649
ingenuity1651
partedness1654
brightness1655
solerty1656
prettiness1674
long head1694
long lega1705
cleverness1755
smartness1800
cleverality1828
brain power1832
knowledgeability1834
braininess1876
cerebrality1901
a1050 Liber Scintill. (1889) lxxxi. 221 Se þe þa on andgyte inran understandincge [L. intelligentiæ] onfehþ.
c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 605 Man when he is til worshepe broght Right understandyng has he noght.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xii. 300 Ac þese lewede laborers of lytel vnderstondynge Selde fallen so foule and so deepe in synne As clerkes of holy churche.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 320 Minning es to [Gött. þe] fader cald, þe sune es vnderstanding tald.
c1460 Wisdom 245–6 in Macro Plays 43 The iijde parte of þe soule ys ‘wndyrstondynge’; For by wndyrstondyng I be-holde wat Gode ys In hym selff.
a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 135 By witte and connynge of vndyrstondynge a man may well chese the goode and lewe the ewill.
1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour iii. xxiij. sig. gviv To perceyue more playnly what thinge it is that I call understandynge. It is the principall part of the soule.
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. v. 55 The beginner of all ends is vnderstanding, and in the most of these there is no vnderstanding.
1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy i. i. ii. x. 40 Vnderstanding is a power of the Soule, by which we perceiue, know, remember, and Iudge.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 1127 For Understanding rul'd not, and the Will Heard not her lore. View more context for this quotation
1716 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1901) V. 338 This Nibb is a man of so little understanding that he was never known to laugh.
1759 W. Robertson Hist. Scotl. iii, in Hist. Wks. (1813) I. 245 Darnley was not superior to his father in understanding.
1779 Mirror No. 64 I found a perfect equality of understanding and of importance.
1821 P. B. Shelley Epipsychidion 13 Love is like understanding, that grows bright, Gazing on many truths.
1894 A. Birrell Ess. xi. 131 He had not enough understanding to obfuscate it by drink.
b. of understanding, intelligent, capable of judging with knowledge. Similarly of some, of no, understanding.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > [adjective]
keena1000
nimbleOE
wittya1100
smeighc1200
understandingc1200
aperta1330
skillwisea1340
witted1377
intelligiblea1382
well-feelinga1382
knowinga1398
finec1400
large?a1425
well-knowingc1425
of understanding1428
capax1432
sententiousc1440
well-wittedc1450
intellectual?a1475
clean1485
industriousc1487
intellective1509
cleanlyc1540
ingenious?a1560
fine-headed1574
conceited1579
conceitful1594
intelligenced1596
dexter1597
ingenuous1598
intelligent1598
senseful1598
parted1600
thinking1605
dexterical1607
solert1612
apprehensivea1616
dexterous1622
solertic1623
intelligential1646
callent1656
cunning1671
thoughtful1674
perceptive1696
clever1716
uptaking1756
spiritual1807
bright1815
gnostic1819
knowledgeable1825
brainy1845
opulent1851
opening1872
super-cerebral1916
brainiac1976
1428 Munim. de Melros (Bannatyne Club) 520 At þe quhilk day þe saide assis askyt mar help of men of vndirstandyng.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Kings iii. 12 Beholde, I haue geuen the an hert of wyszdome and vnderstondynge.
1537 Bible (Matthew's) Wisd. xii. 24 They wente astraye..as chyldren of no vnderstandynge.
1576 H. Gilbert Disc. Discov. New Passage Cataia ix. sig. Giij And what miserie and daunger that were,..eche man of reason or vnderstanding may iudge.
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII v. iii. 169 Men of some vnderstanding, And wisedome. View more context for this quotation
1772 Boston Gaz. 3 Aug. 2/2 Men of understanding..view the Governor's Speech..as an impertinent sophistical Piece of Toryism.
c. With the: The faculty of comprehending and reasoning; the intellect.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > [noun]
redeOE
witOE
skillc1175
skillwisenessa1200
reason?c1225
witsa1300
intellecta1398
rationala1398
understandinga1425
natural reason1440
rationabilitya1500
judgement1749
noesis1881
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Mark xii. 33 That he be loued..of al the vndur~stondynge, and of al the soule.
1620 T. Granger Syntagma Logicum 108 The Vniuersall notions of the vnderstanding.
1663 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim (1687) 180 It cannot exercise the Understanding without provoking the passions.
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding i. i. 1 The Understanding, like the Eye,..takes no notice of it self.
1704 J. Norris Ess. Ideal World II. iii. 128 The business of the understanding can be no other than to understand.
1754 J. Edwards Careful Enq. Freedom of Will i. ii. 12 Then the Understanding must be taken in a large Sense, as including the whole Faculty of Perception or Apprehension.
1823 T. De Quincey On Knocking at Gate in London Mag. Oct. 354/1 The mere understanding..is the meanest faculty in the human mind and the most to be distrusted.
1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 3 Manifold ways, of all of which the emotions can give good account to the understanding.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > [noun] > intention or purpose
willeOE
highOE
thoughtOE
intent?c1225
achesounc1230
attenta1250
couragec1320
devicec1320
minda1325
studya1382
understanding1382
suggestionc1390
meaninga1393
i-minda1400
minta1400
tent1399
castc1400
ettlingc1400
affecta1425
advicec1425
intention1430
purposec1430
proposea1450
intendment1450
supposing?c1450
pretensionc1456
intellectionc1460
zeal1492
hest?a1513
minting?a1513
institute?1520
intendingc1525
mindfulness1530
cogitationa1538
fordrift1549
forecast1549
designing1566
tention1587
levela1591
intendiment1595
design1597
suppose1597
aim1598
regarda1616
idea1617
contemplationa1631
speculation1631
view1634
way of thinking1650
designation1658
tend1663
would1753
predetermination1764
will to art1920
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 1 Pet. iii. 8 Alle of oon vndirstondinge, or wille [L. unanimes].
1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour iii. iv. sig. Zijv In euery couenaunt, bargayne, or promise aught to be..one playne vnderstandinge or meaning betwene the parties.
2. The intellectual faculty as manifested in a particular person or set of persons.
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
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Philipp. iv. 7 The pees of God..kepe ȝoure hertis and vndirstondingis in Crist Jhesu.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) xvii. 186 So moche hathe the Erthe in roundnesse..aftre myn opynyoun and myn undirstondynge.
c1450 Mirk's Festial 228 Here ys no mencyon of our lady by semyng to mony mennys vndyrstondyng.
1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer Prol. f. cccxxv Right so..the vnderstandyng of englysshmen wol not stretche to the priuy termes in frenche.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Macc. ii. 30 He that begynneth to wryte a story for the first, must with his vnderstondinge gather the matter together.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Isocrates in Panoplie Epist. 190 Haue these stately aduauncements of flourishing fortune, so blinded thine understanding?
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 59 Auicen..reproueth..that saying of our Sauiour..as being weake and ill fitted to vulgar vnderstandings.
1666 Bp. S. Parker Free Censvre Platonick Philos. (1667) 77 A huge lushious stile..rather loaths and nauceats a discreet understanding, than informs and nourishes it.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. ii. vii. 128 It gave him..a very mean Opinion of our Understandings.
1769 W. Robertson Hist. Charles V II. i. 4 Her understanding, always weak, was often disordered.
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering I. xv. 239 The idea of parting from Miss Lucy..had never once occurred to the simplicity of his understanding.
1874 W. B. Carpenter Princ. Mental Physiol. i. ii. §88. 98 Those who have obtained most influence over the understandings of others.
a. Signification, meaning, sense. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > [noun]
signifiancec1275
wita1340
understanding1340
significancea1400
interpretationc1400
sentence1402
signification?a1425
comprehensec1470
knowledging1532
meaning1600
conceit1607
significancy1618
signality1646
significativeness1652
valor1676
amount1678
significature1822
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 222 Huo þet ine þo onderstondinge yelt oþer acseþ zuiche dette, he ne zeneȝeþ naȝt.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 14753 Vr lauerd Iesus þaim gaue ansuer, Bot þai ne wist quat vnderstanding it bar.
c1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 51 When ȝe haue fully þe vnderstondynges of þe sentences,..þanne shal ȝe pursewe fully..ȝoure purpos desiryd.
1426–7 W. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 8 Billes..makyng mension and beryng þis vndyrstondyng þat þe seyd William..schuld be slayn.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) iv. 236 [Fiends] mak ay thair ansuering In-till dowbill vndirstanding [1489 Adv. wnderstanding], Till dissaf thame that will thame trow.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 364 There were ryche pictures where as were fygured many a noble hystory, and the wrytyng vndernethe that shewed the vnder~standyng of it.
1538 T. Cromwell in R. B. Merriman Life & Lett. T. Cromwell (1902) II. 152 As they be taught euery sentence of the same by rote ye shall expounde..the understandyng of the same vnto them.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xvi. 148 Single words haue their sence and vnderstanding altered and figured many wayes.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 259 He and his fellowes were sent by..the Iewes, to learne the vnder~standing of some obscurer places of their law.
1635 Grammar Warre C 10 b Pasco receiued two vnderstandings, ‘to feed’ and ‘to bring vp’.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Intendment of Law The Understanding, Intention, and true Meaning of the Law.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > meaning of linguistic unit > [noun]
to owe a wolda1325
meaninga1387
significationa1398
understanding1433
pretensionc1443
intellect?a1475
tendment1519
sense1530
reciprocation1604
sensing1613
denotation1614
apprehension1615
explicitness1630
sounda1631
notion1646
bodementa1657
means1656
force1709
notation1829
connotation1865
content1875
territory1875
1433 Rolls of Parl. IV. 451/2 Þat þis said worde Cloth..have relation and understondyng to hole Clothes.
4. † a. Intelligence, information. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > [noun]
kithc900
avaymentc1315
learningc1386
information1390
knowledgea1398
witteringa1400
witting1417
advicec1425
hearinga1450
understanding1473
intelligence?a1475
intellectionc1475
wit1487
instructiona1535
myance1552
fact1566
aviso1589
facts and figures1727
tell1823
message1828
renseignement1841
khubber1878
dope1901
lowdown1905
info1907
poop1911
oil1915
score1938
gen1940
intel1961
scam1964
1473 J. Warkworth Chron. 7 [He] had understondynge that Kynge Edwarde was in a vilage.
?a1562 G. Cavendish Life Wolsey (1959) 161 His seruauntes..hauyng vnderstandyng of my lordes departyng awaye..began to grudge.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xvii. 19 b The day before he had vnderstanding, that the Frigate..was of Malta.
b. Comprehension of something. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > [noun] > understanding, comprehension > of something
intelligencec1429
sense1483
understanding1548
resentmenta1638
sensationa1659
conception1796
1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) at Intellectus To atteyn to the knowlage or vnderstandyng of a thyng.
5. in extended use.1765 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy VII. xix. 63 'Tis an undercraft of authors to keep up a good understanding amongst words, as politicians do amongst men.
a. a good (or †right) understanding, amicable or friendly relations (between persons).
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > absence of dissension or peace > [noun] > amity or good terms
peacea1350
amity1437
amicableness1646
compliance1647
a good (or right) understanding1649
1649 O. Cromwell Let. 8 Mar. (Carlyle) I trust there will be a right understanding between us, and a good conclusion.
1703 R. Steele Tender Husband v. i I love to promote among my Clients a good Understanding.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 30 We came..to a better Understanding about the Frigate.
1762 in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. i. 323 To cultivate a good understanding between the two countries.
1833 H. Martineau Loom & Lugger i. iii. 37 The little hope there was of establishing a good understanding between the Coast Guard and the people.
1868 E. Edwards Life Sir W. Ralegh I. xii. 230 Ralegh strove to bring about a good understanding between Essex and Cecil.
b. A mutual arrangement or agreement of an informal but more or less explicit nature.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > [noun] > an agreement
forewardOE
accordc1275
covenant1297
end1297
form1297
frettec1330
conjurationc1374
treatc1380
bargainc1386
contractc1386
comenaunt1389
compositionc1405
treaty1427
pact1429
paction1440
reconventionc1449
treatisea1464
hostage1470
packa1475
trystc1480
bond (also band) of manrent1482
covenance1484
concordance1490
patisement1529
capitulation1535
conventmenta1547
convenience1551
compact1555
negotiation1563
sacrament1563
match1569
consortship1592
after-agreementa1600
combourgeoisie1602
convention1603
comburghership1606
transaction1611
end-makingc1613
obligement1627
bare contract1641
stipulation1649
accompackmentc1650
rue-bargaina1657
concordat1683
minute1720
tacka1758
understanding1803
meet1804
it's a go1821
deal1863
whizz1869
stand-in1870
gentlemen's agreement1880
meeting of minds1883
the mind > language > statement > agreement, concurrence, or unanimity > [noun] > an agreement > informal but explicit
understanding1803
1803 G. Colman John Bull iii. ii. 50 Sit down, and compose yourself, my love; the gentleman and I shall soon come to an understanding.
1812 Countess Granville Lett. (1894) I. 43 They have, I hear, what is called, come to an understanding.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xxiii. 164 With this understanding we parted for the night.
1876 W. Black Madcap Violet xv I think it is better we should have a distinct understanding about that.
c. spec. (See quot. 1826.)
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for labour or service > [noun] > extra payments
lowancea1325
bonus1759
understanding1826
reach1851
talent money1859
trip money1891
poundage1892
proficiency pay1906
loading1937
weighting1946
incentive1948
holiday loading1986
1826 Oxberry's Dramatic Biogr. V. 97 20 guineas per week and an understanding at Covent-garden. [Note] By this is meant, certain emoluments..that shall increase the real amount of her salary.
6. slang or colloquial.
a. plural. Foot-wear; boots or shoes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > [noun]
chaussurec1380
foot piece1611
understanding1789
footgear1806
footwear1850
1789 G. Parker Life's Painter v. 36 He [sc. a cobbler] had frequently furnished men of the first rank (bishops not excepted) with understandings of the best sort.
1822 E. Nathan Langreath I. 29 They have been seen in the act of adapting their nethermost understandings to the costume of the more wealthy.
1838 J. Grant Sketches London 87 His toes began to peep out between the soles and uppers of his ‘understandings’—as he sometimes facetiously called his boots.
1874 Hotten's Slang Dict. (rev. ed.) 333 Men who wear exceptionally large or thick boots, are said to possess good understandings.
b. plural. Legs or feet.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > limb > leg > [noun]
shanka900
legc1300
grainsa1400
limbc1400
foot?a1425
stumpa1500
pin?1515
pestlea1529
boughc1550
stamp1567
understander1583
pile1584
supporters1601
walker?1611
trestle1612
fetlock1645
pedestal1695
drumstick1770
gam1785
timber1807
tram1808–18
fork1812
prop1817
nethers1822
forkals1828
understanding1828
stick1830
nether person1835
locomotive1836
nether man1846
underpinning1848
bender1849
Scotch peg1857
Scotch1859
under-pinner1859
stem1860
Coryate's compasses1864
peg1891
wheel1927
shaft1935
1828 Lancet 22 Mar. 920/1 His plump, well-formed, little ‘understandings’ twinkling in the lustre of black silk hose.
1844 ‘J. Slick’ High Life N.Y. II. 58 She had on a short petticoat that showed a..considerable chunk of understandings.
1856 ‘Stonehenge’ Man. Brit. Rural Sports 381/2 Discount was..the perfection of a strong, well-bred horse,..if only his understandings had been sound.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
understandingadj.
/ˌʌndəˈstandɪŋ/, U.S. /ˌəndərˈstændɪŋ/ 1. absolute.1650 R. Gentilis tr. V. Malvezzi Considerations Lives Alcibiades & Corialanus 194 So that..we may say, that the understandingest doth command by cunning, the most rash by violence.
a. Of persons (or animals): Possessed of understanding; having knowledge and judgement; intelligent.Very common in the 17th century.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > [adjective]
keena1000
nimbleOE
wittya1100
smeighc1200
understandingc1200
aperta1330
skillwisea1340
witted1377
intelligiblea1382
well-feelinga1382
knowinga1398
finec1400
large?a1425
well-knowingc1425
of understanding1428
capax1432
sententiousc1440
well-wittedc1450
intellectual?a1475
clean1485
industriousc1487
intellective1509
cleanlyc1540
ingenious?a1560
fine-headed1574
conceited1579
conceitful1594
intelligenced1596
dexter1597
ingenuous1598
intelligent1598
senseful1598
parted1600
thinking1605
dexterical1607
solert1612
apprehensivea1616
dexterous1622
solertic1623
intelligential1646
callent1656
cunning1671
thoughtful1674
perceptive1696
clever1716
uptaking1756
spiritual1807
bright1815
gnostic1819
knowledgeable1825
brainy1845
opulent1851
opening1872
super-cerebral1916
brainiac1976
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 121 Ðe man is understondinde, þe him seluen cnoweð and gode leueð.
1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 35 He was boþe gode & wys in alle his dedis, & right vnderstandyng, to help at alle nedis.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Deut. iv. 6 A wise puple and an vndirstondynge!
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 511 Vnderstondynge, or wytty, intelligens.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Deut. iv. 6 What a wyse and vnderstondinge folke is this?
1613 G. Wither Abuses Stript ii. ii. sig. O5v A selected Crew,..the wisest, The vnderstandingst, yea and the precisest Of a whole Empire.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 29 A modest and vnderstanding Gentleman.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 190 An Elephant (an vnderstanding beast).
1681 T. Otway Souldiers Fortune v. i. 67 Aristotle..was an understanding Fellow.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 42. ¶6 The more understanding Part of the Audience immediately see through it and despise it.
1772 J. Priestley Inst. Relig. (1782) I. 377 There were among them many..understanding persons.
1819 W. Cobbett Year's Resid. U.S.A. ii. vii. 211 One of the most understanding and most worthy men I ever had the honour to be acquainted with.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 128 The Athenians are an understanding people.
b. Const. in (a matter, etc.). Now rare or Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > familiarity > [adjective] > knowing about, familiar with
craftyOE
slyc1175
coutha1225
well acquainteda1250
privyc1300
cunningc1325
well-groundeda1438
acquainted?a1439
familiar1509
at home1531
overseen1533
intelligent1546
long-experienced1567
conversant1573
skilful1596
accomplished1603
frequent1609
well (better, best) verseda1610
understanding1612
sound1615
studieda1616
technical1617
versed1622
conversing1724
versant1787
on intimate habits1809
special1830
inquainted1849
pre-acquainted1907
sophisticated1952
1612 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 221 An ancient Clearke, skilful in presidents,..and vnderstanding in the businesse of the Court.
a1648 Ld. Herbert Life (1976) 16 Howsoeuer he was very vnderstanding in all other things; he was noted yet to bee of a very high minde.
1732 Ld. Tyrawly in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 381 My Captain, who is a very understanding fellow in these matters.
a1753 P. Drake Memoirs (1755) I. ii. 19 A very understanding Man in the Business of Cow-stealing.
2.
a. Of the mind, etc.: Endowed the intelligence; intellectual.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > [adjective]
understandablea1382
understandinga1382
intellectivea1475
witted1528
receivable1548
intellectible1557
intelligenced1596
recipient1610
intelligential1646
susceptible1646
apprehending1656
open1672
intellected1791
receptive1817
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > [adjective]
understandinga1382
sensiblea1393
knowablea1425
perceivablec1443
takablec1449
understandablec1475
intendible1489
intentiblea1492
intelligible1509
facile1531
level1559
discernable1561
receptible1574
intendable?1577
excogitable1592
penetrable1594
comprehensible1598
scrutablec1604
distinguishable1611
discernible1616
perviousa1631
fathomable1633
cognoscible1648
colligible1650
determinable1658
intelligent1676
cognizable1681
apprehensive1692
susceptible1694
tangible1709
apprehensible1715
pronounced1728
comprehendible1814
graspable1818
prehensiblea1832
prononcé1838
possible1864
receivable1865
unsmothered1891
readable1908
discriminable1946
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1963) 3 Kings iii. 12 I haue..ȝifen to þee a wijs herte & an vndirstondynge [L. sapiens et intelligens].
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (Bodl.) v. xxviii Kinde ȝeueþ to man vndirstonding instrumentes according to his vertues.
1539 Bible (Great) 1 Kings iii. 9 Geue therfore vnto thy seruaunt an vnderstandyng hert.
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 141 Mans will and the understandyng parte of his soule.
1662 H. More Antidote against Atheism (ed. 3) iii. i. §2 in Coll. Philos. Writings (ed. 2) Some free subtile understanding Essence distinct from the brute Matter.
1681 J. Flavell Method of Grace xxiii. 400 The understanding faculty like a Dial is enlightned with the beams of divine truth shining upon it.
1827 R. Pollok Course of Time I. iii. 121 Be wise, Ye fools! be of an understanding heart.
1853 F. D. Maurice Prophets & Kings Old Test. v. 78 The understanding heart of Solomon led him to revere as well as to suspect himself.
b. Of speech: Displaying intelligence. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > [adjective] > displaying intelligence
wittya1400
well-conceiveda1500
intelligent1585
understanding1635
1635 J. Taylor Olde, Old Man sig. C Loves Company, and Vnderstanding talke.
ΚΠ
c1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 93 All þare-by is vnderstandant, and neghys negh, þat þat ys remued of farre.
1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer Prol. f. cccxxv Be thylke thynges that ben made vnderstonding here to our wyttes.
4. Of a person, etc.: displaying sympathetic tolerance; of a forgiving nature or temperament.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > forgiveness > [adjective] > inclined to forgive
forgivefulc1000
unresenting1686
unresentful1758
understanding1913
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > gentleness or mildness > [adjective] > tolerant or forbearing > of faults of others
charitablea1626
censurelessa1681
understanding1913
1913 E. C. Bentley Trent's Last Case xiii. 251 I felt that..I must speak to you about this... Because you seemed to me an understanding person.
1929 E. Bowen Last September xviii. 228 You had always been so understanding.
1959 G. Freeman Jack would be Gentleman v. 100 Oh thank you... You are understanding.
1974 ‘R. Tate’ Birds of Bloodied Feather iii. 64 Thank you for writing such an understanding note to me about my sister.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.a1050
adj.c1200