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apprehend

verb

/aprɪˈhɛnd/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of apprehend

To arrest or capture a suspect who is believed to have committed a crime.
"The detective is determined to apprehend the mastermind behind the crime spree."

Detailed meaning of apprehend

It refers to a situation where law enforcement officers are able to track down and arrest someone who is suspected of breaking the law. The term 'apprehend' is often used in the context of criminal investigations, and is an important part of the process of bringing suspects to justice. When someone is apprehended, they are typically taken into custody and brought before a court of law to face charges. The term 'apprehend' can also be used more broadly to describe the act of capturing or seizing something, such as apprehending a fugitive animal or retrieving a lost item. Overall, the term 'apprehend' is used to describe the act of capturing or seizing something or someone, often in the context of law enforcement or criminal investigations.

Example sentences containing apprehend

1. The police are actively searching for the suspect, hoping to apprehend him soon.
2. We need to apprehend the thief before they strike again.
3. The authorities are working together to apprehend the dangerous fugitive.
4. The security guards are trained to apprehend any trespassers on the premises.
5. The undercover agent's mission is to apprehend the drug traffickers.
6. The task force has a primary goal to apprehend the high-profile criminal.

History and etymology of apprehend

The verb 'apprehend' has its etymological roots in Latin, specifically from the word 'apprehendere,' which combines 'ad,' meaning 'to,' and 'prehendere,' meaning 'to seize' or 'to grasp.' This Latin term reflects the fundamental idea of taking hold of something or someone. Over time, in English, 'apprehend' evolved to mean not just physically seizing something but also understanding or perceiving it, often in a mental or cognitive sense. In the context of law enforcement, 'apprehend' took on the meaning of capturing or arresting a suspect believed to have committed a crime, emphasizing the act of taking them into custody or seizing them as a legal procedure. This evolution in meaning demonstrates how language adapts to convey complex concepts, including both physical and intellectual actions.

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Further usage examples of apprehend

1. The team of officers coordinated their efforts to apprehend the suspect.
2. It is the duty of law enforcement to apprehend individuals who break the law.
3. The vigilant citizen helped apprehend the shoplifter until the police arrived.
4. The surveillance footage will aid in the effort to apprehend the suspect.
5. The detective employed clever tactics to apprehend the elusive serial killer.
6. The police set up a roadblock to apprehend the speeding driver.
7. The officer used his training to apprehend the aggressive suspect without harm.
8. The brave civilian assisted in apprehending the assailant during the robbery.
9. The detective's instincts told him exactly where to apprehend the suspect.
10. The police deployed a K-9 unit to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
11. The surveillance team waited patiently for the perfect moment to apprehend the target.
12. The detective managed to apprehend the art thief in the act.
13. The cooperative witness provided crucial information to apprehend the drug dealer.
14. The police apprehended the robbery suspect after a high-speed chase.
15. Law enforcement worked tirelessly to apprehend the fugitive.
16. Detectives had to apprehend the elusive serial killer.
17. They managed to apprehend the notorious art thief at the airport.
18. The security team moved swiftly to apprehend the trespasser.
19. Officers apprehend individuals suspected of drug trafficking.
20. The SWAT team was called in to apprehend the armed suspect.
21. Border patrol agents apprehend illegal immigrants at the border.
22. The authorities apprehend cybercriminals involved in hacking.
23. Federal agents apprehend white-collar criminals for financial fraud.
24. The undercover operation aimed to apprehend the drug cartel's leader.