prehensile

/pri'hensail/

Friendly

The word "prehensile" is an adjective used to describe something that is adapted for grasping or holding objects. It often refers to certain body parts of animals, like tails or limbs, that can wrap around or hold onto things.

Explanation:

• Basic Meaning: If something is prehensile, it means it can grab or hold onto objects. For example, some monkeys have prehensile tails that they can use to hold onto branches.
• Usage: You can use "prehensile" to describe animal features, especially when talking about how they interact with their environment.

Example Sentences:

• The prehensile tail of the spider monkey allows it to swing easily from tree to tree.
• Some reptiles have prehensile tongues that help them catch insects.

Advanced Usage:

In advanced contexts, "prehensile" can be used metaphorically to describe anything that has a strong ability to grasp concepts or ideas. For instance, you might say, "The philosopher's prehensile mind allowed him to tackle complex theories effortlessly."

Word Variants:

• Prehensility (noun): Refers to the quality of being prehensile. For example, "The prehensility of the octopus's tentacles enables it to manipulate tools."
• Prehensilely (adverb): Describes an action done in a grasping manner. For instance, "The monkey climbed prehensilely through the trees."

Different Meaning:

While "prehensile" primarily refers to the ability to grasp physically, it can also imply a strong desire to acquire or hold onto something, especially in a metaphorical sense, like wealth or knowledge.

Synonyms:

• Grasping
• Clutching
• Seizing
• Holding

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that use "prehensile," but you might encounter phrases related to grasping or holding, such as: - "Grasp at straws": To try to find a solution in a desperate situation. - "Hold on to": To keep or maintain something, whether physical or abstract.

Academic

Adjective

1. immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth
   • they are avaricious and will do anything for money
   • casting covetous eyes on his neighbor's fields
   • a grasping old miser
   • grasping commercialism
   • greedy for money and power
   • grew richer and greedier
   • prehensile employers stingy with raises for their employees
2. having a keen intellect
   • poets--those gifted strangely prehensile men- A.T.Quiller-Couch
3. adapted for grasping especially by wrapping around an object
   • a monkey's prehensile tail

Synonyms

• avaricious
• covetous
• grabby
• grasping
• greedy