Com`pre*hen"sion (?), n. [L.
comprehensio: cf. F. compréhension.]
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.
