Obs. In 5, 7 -hence, 6 (Sc.) -henss. [a. OF. compréhense, ad. L. type *comprehensa, from pa. pple. of comprehendĕre to COMPREHEND.]
a. Meaning comprehended; signification. b. Thing comprehended. c. Grasp, comprehension.
c. 1470. Harding, Chron. LXXIX. ii. Letters … Of whiche this the wordes and comprehence As foloweth nowe.
1543. Sc. Acts Mary (1814), 425–6 (Jam.). Quhatsumeuir the kingis maiestie or the parliament of Scotland sall comprehend generalie or specialie, it salbe addit that gif the samin comprehenss deteyne or withhald ony land … from the kingis maistie … the samin comprehenss sall nocht enjoye the benefite of that comprehensioune.
1604. Pricket, Honors Fame (1881), 24. His quicke conceit and Wisdomes comprehence.
