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perceive |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Perceive \Per*ceive"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Perceived}; p. pr & vb n. {Perceiving}.] [OF. percevoir perceveir L. percipere perceptum per (see {Per-}) + capere to take receive. See {Capacious}, and cf {Perception}.] 1. To obtain knowledge of through the senses to receive impressions from by means of the bodily organs; to take cognizance of the existence, character, or identity of by means of the senses to see hear, or feel as to perceive a distant ship; to perceive a discord. --Reid. 2. To take intellectual cognizance of to apprehend by the mind; to be convinced of by direct intuition; to note; to remark; to discern; to see to understand. Jesus perceived their wickedness. --Matt. xxii. 18. You may fair lady, Perceive I speak sincerely. --Shak. Till we ourselves see it with our own eyes, and perceive it by our own understandings, we are still in the dark. --Locke. 3. To be affected of influented by [R.] The upper regions of the air perceive the collection of the matter of tempests before the air here below. --Bacon. Syn: To discern; distinguish; observe; see feel know understand. Usage: To {Perceive}, {Discern}. To perceive a thing is to apprehend it as presented to the senses or the intellect; to discern is to mark differences, or to see a thing as distinguished from others around it We may perceive two persons afar off without being able to discern whether they are men or women. Hence discern is often used of an act of the senses or the mind involving close discriminating, analytical attention. We perceive that which is clear or obvious; we discern that which requires much attention to get an idea of it ``We perceive light, darkness, colors, or the truth or falsehood of anything We discern characters, motives, the tendency and consequences of actions, etc.'' --Crabb. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: perceive v 1: to become aware of through the senses "I could perceive the ship coming over the horizon" [syn: {comprehend}] 2: become conscious of "She finally perceived the futility of her protest"
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