compréhensif

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Late Latin comprehēnsīvus, from Latin comprehendō.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kɔ̃.pʁe.ɑ̃.sif/

• Audio:

  (file)

Adjective

compréhensif (feminine compréhensive, masculine plural compréhensifs, feminine plural compréhensives)

1. Emotionally understanding; compassionate
2. (rare or logic) Encompassing a certain number of elements or characteristics
3. (rare) Encompassing many elements; having many characteristics
4. (archaic) Capable of intellectual comprehension

Usage notes

• Although some of its meanings have similar etymological roots, compréhensif never has the meaning "comprehensive", and not in the same register.

Related terms

• compréhensible
• compréhension
• comprendre

Further reading

• “compréhensif”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.