comprehensive English · revision 5687

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1614|origins=la-lat comprehensivus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˌkɒm.prɪˈhen.sɪv/, US /ˌkɑːm.prəˈhen.sɪv/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|compréhensif]], or directly Late Latin comprehēnsīvus,^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998) from comprehēns-, the past participle stem of [[m|la|comprehendere|t=to take together, include; to grasp mentally]] (see [[comprehend]]),^(Etymonline) from [[m|la|com-|t=together, completely]] and [[m|la|prehendere|t=to seize]],^(Etymonline) from PIE [[ine-pro|*ghend-|t=to seize, take]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Characterized by comprehension, including much: 1614 in the OED and MWU, the 1610s in Etymonline, where the first sense is “containing much in small limits”.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Grasping or understanding something fully is from 1628, and broad in mental grasp or sympathies from 1700.^(OED 1989) Containing much in a small compass is from 1662.^(OED 1989) The comprehensive school, a British secondary school for children of all abilities, is from 1947, and comprehensive motor insurance, covering most risks, is a 20th-century use.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)^(Collins 2023) In American colleges, ''comprehensives'' are examinations covering a whole field of study.^(AHD) ''Comprehensively'' dates from the mid-15th century, before the adjective is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1614 – including much.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1628 – understanding fully.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1662 – compendious.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1700 – broad in grasp.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1947 – the comprehensive school.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Including all or nearly all aspects of something; [[thorough]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of [[insurance]] for a vehicle, covering most risks.^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002)

+ # ''(British)'' Of a school or system, taking pupils of all abilities.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(British)'' A [[comprehensive school]].^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002)

+ # ''(US)'' An [[examination]] covering a whole field of study.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[comprehensively]]

+ * [[comprehensiveness]]

+ * [[noncomprehensive]]

+ * [[uncomprehensive]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[comprehend]]

+ * [[comprehensible]]

+ * [[comprehension]]

+ * [[apprehend]]

+ * [[prehensile]]

+ * [[prison]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}