Part 413

The horizon sets the bounds . . . between what is and what is not comprehensible by us. Locke.

Com`pre*hen"si*ble*ness, n. The quality of being comprehensible; comprehensibility.

Com`pre*hen"si*bly, adv. 1. With great extent of signification; comprehensively. Tillotson.

2. Intelligibly; in a manner to be comprehended or understood.

Com`pre*hen"sion (?), n. [L. comprehensio: cf. F. comprÚhension.] 1. The act of comprehending, containing, or comprising; inclusion.

In the Old Testament there is a close comprehension of the New; in the New, an open discovery of the Old. Hooker.

2. That which is comprehended or inclosed within narrow limits; a summary; an epitome. [Obs.]

Though not a catalogue of fundamentals, yet . . . a comprehension of them. Chillingworth.

3. The capacity of the mind to perceive and understand; the power, act, or process of grasping with the intellect; perception; understanding; as, a comprehension of abstract principles.

4. (Logic) The complement of attributes which make up the notion signified by a general term.

5. (Rhet.) A figure by which the name of a whole is put for a part, or that of a part for a whole, or a definite number for an indefinite.

Com`pre*hen"sive (?), a. [Cf. F. comprÚhensif.] 1. Including much; comprising many things; having a wide scope or a full view.

A very comprehensive definition. Bentley.

Large and comprehensive idea. Channing.

2. Having the power to comprehend or understand many things. "His comprehensive head." Pope.

3. (Zo÷l.) Possessing peculiarities that are characteristic of several diverse groups.

&fist; The term is applied chiefly to early fossil groups which have a combination of structures that appear in more fully developed or specialized forms in later groups. Synthetic, as used by Agassiz, is nearly synonymous.

Syn. -- Extensive; wide; large; full; compendious.

Com`pre*hen"sive*ly, adv. In a comprehensive manner; with great extent of scope.

Com`pre*hen"sive*ness, n. The quality of being comprehensive; extensiveness of scope.

Compare the beauty and comprehensiveness of legends on ancient coins. Addison.

Com`pre*hen"sor (?), n. One who comprehends; one who has attained to a full knowledge. [Obs.]

When I shall have dispatched this weary pilgrimage, and from a traveler shall come to be a comprehensor, farewell faith and welcome vision. Bp. Hall.

Com*press" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Compressed (?); p. pr & vb. n. Compressing.] [L. compressus, p. p. of comprimere to compress: com- + premere to press. See Press.] 1. To press or squeeze together; to force into a narrower compass; to reduce the volume of by pressure; to compact; to condense; as, to compress air or water.

Events of centuries . . . compressed within the compass of a single life. D. Webster.

The same strength of expression, though more compressed, runs through his historical harangues. Melmoth.

2. To embrace sexually. [Obs.] Pope.

Syn. -- To crowd; squeeze; condense; reduce; abridge.