comprehensible
UK[ˌkɒmprɪˈhensəbl]US[ˌkɑːmprɪˈhensəbl]
adj
Able to be understood; intelligible.
Morpheme Breakdown
com
prehens
ible
com
together
prehens
to grasp
ible
able to be
Etymology
The word 'comprehensible' originates from the Latin verb comprehendere, which is a compound of com- (thoroughly) and prehendere (to grasp, seize). This literal sense of physically grasping something evolved metaphorically in Latin to mean 'to understand' or 'to take in with the mind'. The Late Latin adjective comprehensibilis (able to be grasped or understood) was formed from this verb. Entering English via Old French, the word retained this abstract meaning, describing ideas or language that can be mentally 'grasped' or understood.
Analysis
Structure: com + prehens + ible
com: Latin prefix meaning 'together' or 'thoroughly'.
prehens: From Latin prehens-, the stem of prehendere, meaning 'to grasp' or 'to seize'.
ible: Latin suffix meaning 'able to be', forming adjectives.
Examples
The teacher's explanation was clear and comprehensible to all the students.
The technical manual was rewritten to make it more comprehensible for beginners.
His accent was so strong that his speech was barely comprehensible.