2. Capable of being understood; intelligible; conceivable by the mind.
The horizon sets the bounds . . . between what is and what is not comprehensible by us.
Locke.
Comprehensibleness
(Com`pre*hen"si*ble*ness), n. The quality of being comprehensible; comprehensibility.
Comprehensibly
(Com`pre*hen"si*bly), adv.
1. With great extent of signification; comprehensively. Tillotson.
2. Intelligibly; in a manner to be comprehended or understood.
Comprehension
(Com`pre*hen"sion) n. [L. comprehensio: cf. F. compréhension.]
1. The act of comprehending, containing, or comprising; inclusion.
In the Old Testament there is a close comprehension of the New; in the New, an open discovery of the
Old.
Hooker.
2. That which is comprehended or inclosed within narrow limits; a summary; an epitome. [Obs.]
Though not a catalogue of fundamentals, yet . . . a comprehension of them.
Chillingworth.
3. The capacity of the mind to perceive and understand; the power, act, or process of grasping with the
intellect; perception; understanding; as, a comprehension of abstract principles.
4. (Logic) The complement of attributes which make up the notion signified by a general term.
5. (Rhet.) A figure by which the name of a whole is put for a part, or that of a part for a whole, or a
definite number for an indefinite.
Comprehensive
(Com`pre*hen"sive) a. [Cf. F. compréhensif.]
1. Including much; comprising many things; having a wide scope or a full view.
A very comprehensive definition.
Bentley.
Large and comprehensive idea.
Channing.
2. Having the power to comprehend or understand many things. "His comprehensive head." Pope.
3. (Zoöl.) Possessing peculiarities that are characteristic of several diverse groups.
The term is applied chiefly to early fossil groups which have a combination of structures that appear
in more fully developed or specialized forms in later groups. Synthetic, as used by Agassiz, is nearly
synonymous.
Syn. — Extensive; wide; large; full; compendious.
Comprehensively
(Com`pre*hen"sive*ly), adv. In a comprehensive manner; with great extent of scope.
Comprehensiveness
(Com`pre*hen"sive*ness), n. The quality of being comprehensive; extensiveness of
scope.
Compare the beauty and comprehensiveness of legends on ancient coins.
Addison.
