es or by any other
means. Yet _perceive_ is used in the figurative sense of seeing through
to a conclusion, in a way for which usage would not allow us to
substitute _apprehend_; as, "Sir, I _perceive_ that thou art a prophet,"
_John_ iv, 19. That which we _apprehend_ we catch, as with the hand;
that which we _conceive_ we are able to analyze and recompose in our
mind; that which we _comprehend_, we, as it were, grasp around, take
together, seize, embrace wholly within the mind. Many things may be
_apprehended_ which can not be _comprehended_; a child can _apprehend_
the distinction between right and wrong, yet the philosopher can not
_comprehend_ it in its fulness. We can _apprehend_ the will of God as
revealed in conscience or the Scriptures; we can _conceive_ of certain
attributes of Deity, as his truth and justice; but no finite
intelligence can _comprehend_ the Divine Nature, in its majesty, power,
and perfection. Compare ANTICIPATE; ARREST; CATCH; KNOWLEDGE.

Antonyms:

fail of, ignore, lose, misapprehend, misconceive, miss, overlook.

* * * * *

PERFECT.

Synonyms:

absolute, consummate, holy, spotless,
accurate, correct, ideal, stainless,
blameless, entire, immaculate, unblemished,
complete, faultless, sinless, undefiled.
completed, finished,

That is _perfect_ to which nothing can be added, and from which nothing
can be taken without impairing its excellence, marring its symmetry, or
detracting from its worth; in this fullest sense God alone is _perfect_,
but in a limited sense anything may be _perfect_ in its kind; as a
_perfect_ flower; a copy of a document is _perfect_ when it is
_accurate_ in every particular; a vase may be called _perfect_ when
_entire_ and _unblemished_, even tho not artistically _faultless_; the
best judges never pronounce a work of art _perfect_, because they see
always _ideal_ possibilities not yet attained; even the _ideal_ is not
_perfect_, by reason of the imperfection of the human mind; a human
character faultlessly _holy_ would be morally _perfect_ tho finite. That
which is _absolute_ is free from admixture (as _absolute_ alcohol) and
in the highest and fullest sense free from imperfection or limitation;
as, _absolute_ holiness and love are attributes of God alone. In
philosophical language, _absolute_ signifies free from all necessary, or
even from all possible relations, not dependent