prehensile

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective adapted for grasping especially by wrapping around an object
  2. adjective having a keen intellect; - A.T.Quiller-Couch
  3. adjective immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth

Etymology

Borrowed from French préhensile, from Latin perfect passive participle prehēnsus, from prehendō (“grasp, seize”) + adjective suffix -ile, from Latin -ilis.

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