1. (

• understanding ,
• apprehension ,
• discernment ,
• savvy

) the cognitive condition of someone who understands; "he has virtually no understanding of social cause and effect" ;

2. (

• agreement ,
• understanding

) the statement (oral or written) of an exchange of promises; "they had an agreement that they would not interfere in each other's business"; "there was an understanding between management and the workers" ;

3. (

• sympathy ,
• understanding ,

) an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion; "his sympathies were always with the underdog"; "I knew I could count on his understanding" ;

4. (

• reason ,
• understanding ,
• intellect ,

) the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination; "we are told that man is endowed with reason and capable of distinguishing good from evil" ;

1. (

• understand

) know and comprehend the nature or meaning of; "She did not understand her husband"; "I understand what she means" ;

2. (

• understand ,
• realize ,
• realise ,
• see ,

) perceive (an idea or situation) mentally; "Now I see!"; "I just can't see your point"; "Does she realize how important this decision is?"; "I don't understand the idea" ;

3. (

• understand ,
• read ,
• interpret ,
• translate

) make sense of a language; "She understands French"; "Can you read Greek?" ;

4. (

• understand ,
• infer ,

) believe to be the case; "I understand you have no previous experience?" ;

5. (

• sympathize ,
• sympathise ,
• empathize ,
• empathise ,
• understand ,

) be understanding of; "You don't need to explain;

1. (

• understanding

) characterized by understanding based on comprehension and discernment and empathy; "an understanding friend" ;