apprehension
Translation
anxiety, fear, arrest, understanding
Examples
He felt a sense of apprehension before the exam.
He felt a sense of apprehension before the exam.
The apprehension of the suspect was swift.
The apprehension of the suspect was swift.
Her apprehension of the complex theory was impressive.
Her apprehension of the complex theory was impressive.
Grammar Patterns
((a sense of apprehension)) a feeling of anxiety He felt a sense of apprehension.
((apprehension about/over sth.)) anxiety about something There is apprehension about the future.
((the apprehension of sb.)) the arrest of someone The apprehension of the suspect was swift.
Similar Words
Etymology
From Latin 'apprehendere' (to seize, grasp). 'ap-' (to) + 'prehendere' (to grasp). It relates to both 'grasping' an idea and 'seizing' a person.
Memory Tips
Think of 'apprehending' (grasping) a difficult idea, which can cause 'apprehension' (anxiety). Also, police 'apprehend' (arrest) criminals.