Cŏm'pre-hĕn'sion, n.

n. [Fr. compréhension, Lat. comprehensio.] 1. The act of comprehending, containing, or comprising. 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; a compend. “Though not a catalogue of fundamentals, yet . . . a comprehension of them.” Chillingworth.
3. The capacity of the mind to perceive and understand; the power of grasping with the intellect; perception.
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.