Apprehensive
[æprɪ'hensɪv] or [,æprɪ'hɛnsɪv]
Definition
(adj.) in fear or dread of possible evil or harm; 'apprehensive for one's life'; 'apprehensive of danger' .
(adj.) mentally upset over possible misfortune or danger etc; 'apprehensive about her job'; 'not used to a city and worried about small things'; 'felt apprehensive about the consequences' .
(adj.) quick to understand; 'a kind and apprehensive friend'- Nathaniel Hawthorne .
Edited by Jacqueline--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Capable of apprehending, or quick to do so; apt; discerning.
(a.) Knowing; conscious; cognizant.
(a.) Relating to the faculty of apprehension.
(a.) Anticipative of something unfavorable' fearful of what may be coming; in dread of possible harm; in expectation of evil.
(a.) Sensible; feeling; perceptive.
Typed by Connie
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. [1]. Quick to understand.[2]. Fearful, distrustful, suspicious, anxious, afraid.
Editor: Matt
Examples
- I felt apprehensive that I was personally interested in this dialogue, and sought Mr. Murdstone's eye as it lighted on mine. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- She is a pretty, silly girl: but are you apprehensive that her titter will discomfit the old lady? Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- Something thoughtfully apprehensive in the large, soft eyes, had checked Little Dorrit in an instant. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Methinks I am animated and alert, instead of being depressed and apprehensive? Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- Mr. Letterblair put down his glass of port and fixed on his young partner a cautious and apprehensive gaze. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- All looked sad and apprehensive. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- I recall, sir, that on that occasion you went so far as to say you were actually apprehensive of Miss Gradgrind. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- I know very well that Colonel Brandon is not old enough to make his friends yet apprehensive of losing him in the course of nature. Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- He is a quick, apprehensive knave, who sees his neighbours blind side, and knows how to keep the lee-gage when his passions are blowing high. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Yes; and every delay makes one more apprehensive of other delays. Jane Austen. Emma.
- Hush,' whispered Mr. Weller, with apprehensive looks, 'don't take no notice on 'em, Sammy, it's vun o' the widders, p'raps. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- With apprehensive caution therefore it was revealed, and he was listened to with unexpected calmness. Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- Gerty lifted an apprehensive look to her pale face, in which the eyes shone with a peculiar sleepless lustre. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- Impatient and apprehensive, I recommenced the rehearsal of my part merely to kill time. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- They were apprehensive for his lungs. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- He was apprehensive that the city was becoming corrupted through the wantonness and lack of principle of the Athenian youth. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- Not knowing what might be the matter, and being easily apprehensive now, I thought it best to go to this place by myself. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- His sensitiveness--that peculiar, apprehensive, detective faculty of his--felt in a moment the unspoken complaint--the scarce-thought reproach. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- She was soon convinced that it was not for herself she was feeling at all apprehensive or embarrassed; it was for him. Jane Austen. Emma.
- The natives came, by degrees, to be less apprehensive of any danger from me. Jonathan Swift. Gulliver's Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World.
- Her face looked pale and apprehensive. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- In that sense I do feel apprehensive--I have no wish to talk nonsense. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- Sir Leicester is apprehensive that my Lady, not being very well, will take cold at that open window. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Are you apprehensive of the new sphere you are about to enter? Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- I was apprehensive lest the object of the rebels might be to get troops into Tennessee to reinforce Bragg, as it was afterwards ascertained to be. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- The farther they went the more apprehensive they became, and every stump in the ravished forest looked like a bear. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- I turned an apprehensive glance behind me, and the sight that I saw froze the new-born hope of freedom that had been springing up within me. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- The disquietude of his air, the somewhat apprehensive impatience of his manner, surprised me: but I proceeded. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
Editor: Matt