prehensile
pronunciation
How to pronounce prehensile in British English:
UK [prɪˈhensaɪl]
How to pronounce prehensile in American English:
US [prɪˈhensl]
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- Adjective:
- adapted for grasping especially by wrapping around an object
- having a keen intellect
- immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth
Word Origin
- prehensile
- prehensile: see prey
- prehensile (adj.)
- 1771, from French préhensile "adapted for grasping" (Buffon), from Latin prehensus, past participle of prehendere "to grasp, seize, get hold of," from prae- "before" (see pre-) + -hendere, from PIE root *ghend- "to seize, take" (see get (v.)). Latin -hendere is related to hedera "ivy," via notion of "clinging."
Example
- 1. Her prehensile tail will make this climb much easier .
- 2. Poets are those strangely prehensile men .
- 3. A monkey has a prehensile tail .
- 4. Seahorses use their prehensile tails to grab onto sea grasses and corals .
- 5. Articulate appendage located at the terminal end of the first three pairs of legs ; it has a prehensile , defensive and , more rarely , motor function .