a. [ad. L. comprehensibil-em, f. comprehens- ppl. stem of comprehend-ĕre: see COMPREHEND and -BLE. Cf. mod.F. compréhensible (earlier comprehensable).] Capable of being comprehended.

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  1.  That may be comprised or contained.

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1529.  More, Heresyes, I. Wks. 121/2. He is not comprehensyble nor circumscribed no where.

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1605.  Bacon, Adv. Learn., II. ii. 11. An argument comprehensible within the notice and instructions of the writer.

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1799.  T. Beddoes, Contrib. Phys. & Med., 217. The phænomena in which light and oxygen are concerned, especially as the actions of life promise to be comprehensible under them.

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  2.  That may be grasped: † a. sensibly: Palpable.

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1579.  North, Plutarch, 261. Things not comprehensible, and without body.

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  b.  mentally: Conceivable, intelligible.

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1598.  Florio, Comprehensibile, comprehensible, that may be comprehended.

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a. 1631.  Donne, Selections (1840), 181. It is apprehensible by sense, and not comprehensible by reason.

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1815.  Scribbleomania, 248. To render the subject comprehensible to the meanest capacity.

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1844.  H. H. Wilson, Brit. India, I. vi. I. 325. For reasons not easily comprehensible.

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