First Known Use: circa 1785
Dictionary
prehensile
adjective pre·hen·sile \prē-ˈhen(t)-səl, -ˈhen-ˌsī(-ə)l\
: capable of grabbing or holding something by wrapping around it
Full Definition of PREHENSILE
1
: adapted for seizing or grasping especially by wrapping around <prehensile tail>
2
: gifted with mental grasp or moral or aesthetic perception
— pre·hen·sil·i·ty \(ˌ)prē-ˌhen-ˈsi-lə-tē\ noun
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Origin of PREHENSILE
French préhensile, from Latin prehensus, past participle of prehendere to seize — more at get
Other Anatomy Terms
Rhymes with PREHENSILE
PREHENSILE Defined for Kids
prehensile
adjective pre·hen·sile \prē-ˈhen-səl\
Definition of PREHENSILE for Kids
: capable of grasping something by wrapping around it <Some monkeys have a prehensile tail.>
Medical Dictionary
prehensile
adjective pre·hen·sile \prē-ˈhen(t)-səl, -ˈhen-ˌsīl\
Medical Definition of PREHENSILE
: adapted for seizing or grasping especially by wrapping around <prehensile tail>
—pre·hen·sil·i·ty \(ˌ)prē-ˌhen-ˈsil-ət-ē\ noun, plural pre·hen·sil·i·ties
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