Apprehension, 1) seizure, arrestation: “to question of his a.” H6C III, 2, 122. “that he may be ready for our a.” Lr. III, 5, 20 (i. e. to be apprehended by us).
2) conception, imagination: “the sense of death is most in a.” Meas. III, 1, 78. LLL IV, 2, 69. H4A IV, 1, 66. H6A II, 4, 102. Tim. I, 1, 211. Hml. IV, 1, 11. Oth. III, 3, 139. Followed by of: “the a. of the good gives but the greater feeling to the worse,” R2 I, 3, 300. “he had not a. of roaring terrors,” Cymb. IV, 2, 110.
3) perception: “dark night the ear more quick of a. makes,” Mids. III, 2, 178. “took from you the a. of his present portance,” Cor. II, 3, 232.
4) the faculty of conception or perception: “his evasion cannot outfly our --s,” Troil. II, 3, 124. “if the English had any a., they would run away,” H5 III, 7, 145. “in a. how like a God!” Hml. II, 2, 319. Hence simply for wit: “how long have you professed a.?” Ado III, 4, 68.