APPREHEND', L. apprehendo, of ad and prehendo, to take or seize.

1. To take or seize to take hold of. In this literal sense, it is applied chiefly to taking or arresting persons by legal process, or with a view to trial as to apprehend a thief.
2. To take with the understanding, that is, to conceive in the mine to understand, without passing a judgment, or making an inference.

I apprehend not why so many and various laws are given.

3. To think to believe or be of opinion, but without positive certainty as, all this is true, but we apprehend it is not to the purpose.

Notwithstanding this declaration, we do not apprehend that we are guilty of presumption.

4. To fear to entertain suspicion or fear of future evil as, we apprehend calamities from a feeble or wicked administration.