Un`der*stand" , v. i. 1. To
have the use of the intellectual faculties; to
be an intelligent being.
Imparadised in you, in whom alone
I understand, and grow, and
see.
Donne.
2. To be informed; to have or receive knowledge.
I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that
Eliashib did for
Tobiah.
Neh. xiii. 7.
Un`der*stand" (ŭn`d&etilde;r*stănd"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Understood
(?), and Archaic
Understanded; p. pr. & vb. n. Understanding.]
[OE.
understanden, AS. understandan, literally, to stand under; cf. AS. forstandan to understand, G. verstehen. The development of sense is not
clear. See Under, and Stand.] 1. To have just
and adequate ideas of; to apprehended the meaning or intention of; to have knowledge of; to comprehend; to know; as, to understand a problem in
Euclid; to understand a proposition or a declaration; the court understands the advocate or his argument; to understand the sacred oracles; to understand a nod or a wink.
Speaketh [i. e., speak
thou] so plain at this
time, I you
pray,
That we may understande what ye say.
Chaucer. I understand not what you
mean by this.
Shak. Understood not all was but a show.
Milton. A tongue not understanded of the people.
Bk. of Com. Prayer.
2. To be
apprised, or have information, of; to learn; to be informed of; to hear; as, I understand that Congress has passed the bill.
3. To recognize or hold as being
or signifying; to suppose to mean; to interpret; to explain.
The most learned interpreters understood the words of sin, and not of Abel.
Locke. 4. To mean without expressing; to imply tacitly; to take for
granted; to assume.
War, then, war,
Open or understood, must be resolved.
Milton.
5. To stand under; to support. [Jocose & R.] Shak.
To give one to understand, to cause one to
know. -- To make one's self understood, to make one's meaning clear.
Hear it pronounced