Definitions for the word "understand" from multiple English dictionaries.
1. v. t.
To have just and adequate ideas of; to apprehended the meaning or intention of; to have knowledge of; to comprehend; to know; as, to understand a problem in Euclid; to understand a proposition or a declaration; the court understands the advocate or his argument; to understand the sacred oracles; to understand a nod or a wink.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. v. t.
To be apprised, or have information, of; to learn; to be informed of; to hear; as, I understand that Congress has passed the bill.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
3. v. t.
To recognize or hold as being or signifying; to suppose to mean; to interpret; to explain.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
4. v. t.
To mean without expressing; to imply tacitly; to take for granted; to assume.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
5. v. t.
To stand under; to support.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
6. v. i.
To have the use of the intellectual faculties; to be an intelligent being.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
7. v. i.
To be informed; to have or receive knowledge.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
8. v.
(past and past part. -stood) 1 perceive the meaning of (words, a person, a language, a subject, etc.) (understood you perfectly; cannot understand algebra). 2 perceive the significance or cause of (do not understand why he came). 3 (often absol.) Sympathize with, know how to deal with (quite understand your difficulty; ask her, she understands). 4 (often foll. By that or absol.) Infer, take as implied (am i to understand that you refuse?; he is old, i understand).
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
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