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Glite Dictionary
to apperceive

to apperceive

9.9
To notice something and connect it to past experiences
  • verb
  • /ˌæpərˈsiːv/
  • Specialized
translation icon : apercebir
  • In her artwork, she apperceives emotions by integrating her past experiences into her creative process.

Examples

  • In section 16 of the Monadology, he claims that "we ourselves experience a multitude in a simple substance when we find the least thought we apperceive involves variety in its object" (GP VI, 609/AG 215).

    Academic text (1998)

  • When you learn something new, you often apperceive it by connecting it to what you already know.

  • We ourselves experience a multitude in a simple substance when we find that the least thought we apperceive involves variety in the object.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Rothstein goes on to discuss the crucial necessity for detail in the vocations of both the mathematician and the musician, detail that can only be apperceived and grasped through actual experience.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Two things are important here: First, Leibniz does not regard all perception as apperception, or conscious self-perception; and second, Leibniz thinks that there are souls which perceive without apperceiving.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Understanding a poem requires you to apperceive the themes through your own life experiences.

Synonyms

to see
vsto apperceive
∞ 1.0

To understand what something means

links that understanding to past knowledge rather than simple realization
to sense
vsto apperceive
629 4.2

To notice something by feeling or by using a tool

interprets such detection by relating it to previous experiences or ideas
to perceive
vsto apperceive
83 3.7

To notice something with your senses, especially sight or hearing

adds reference to past experience when interpreting what is sensed
to apprehend
vsto apperceive
  • Formal
9 4.3

To understand the meaning of something

relates perception to previous experiences or existing knowledge
to cognize
vsto apperceive
1 9.6

To notice and understand something in your mind

connects new awareness to earlier knowledge or experience

Antonyms

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to overlook
243 2.9

To not notice someone or something you should see

How Deeply

to understand
∞ 1.0
to apperceive
  • Specialized
9.9
to perceive
83 3.7
to observe
619 2.4
to notice
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

apperceive infinitive
apperceived past
apperceived past participle
apperceiving present participle
apperceives third person singular

Morphology

apperceive = perceive (semi-transparent) = ap + perceive

Formally built from the prefix ap- (assimilated ad-) + 'perceive', but the meaning is a specialized psychological sense relating perception to prior experience, not obvious to general learners.

Etymology

Apperceive comes from putting ap- (a prefix like 'to' or 'toward') in front of perceive, which means 'to see or understand'. So, to apperceive is to notice something while you link it to your past knowledge, which is why it means perceiving with your earlier experience.