comprehend
v. B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌkɑmpɹiˈhɛnd// UK //kˌɒmpɹɪhˈɛnd// com·pre·hend
v. to understand something completely. You use this word when you are talking about a difficult idea or a complicated situation.
v. to grasp the nature, significance, or meaning of something mentally. Often implies a deeper level of understanding than 'know' or 'see'.
I cannot comprehend why he made that choice.
The instructions were so technical that the average user could not comprehend the setup process.
While the mathematician could solve the equations, he struggled to comprehend the physical implications of his findings in the real world.
From Middle English comprehenden, from Latin comprehendere (“to grasp”), from the prefix com- + prehendere (“to seize”). Doublet of comprend.
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.