Definition of: understand

(un′dər·stand′) v. ·stood, ·stand·ing v.t.
1. To come to know the meaning or import of; apprehend.
2. To perceive the nature or character of: I do not understand her.
3. To have comprehension or mastery of: Do you understand German?
4. To be aware of; realize: She understands her position.
5. To have been told; believe: I understand that she went home.
6. To take or suppose to mean; infer: How am I to understand that remark?
7. To accept as a condition or stipulation: It is understood that the tenant will provide his own heat.
8. To supply in thought when unexpressed, as the subject of a sentence.
—v.i.
9. To have understanding; comprehend.
10. To be informed; believe. See synonyms under APPREHEND, KNOW, PERCEIVE, SOLVE.
—to understand each other To be in agreement; be privately in sympathy with each other. [OE understandan <under- under + standan stand]
—un′der·stand′a·ble adjective
—un′·der·stand′a·bly adverb