PREHENSILE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does prehensile mean? 

• PREHENSILE (adjective)
  The adjective PREHENSILE has 3 senses:

1. adapted for grasping especially by wrapping around an object

2. having a keen intellect

3. immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth

  Familiarity information: PREHENSILE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PREHENSILE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Adapted for grasping especially by wrapping around an object

Context example:

a monkey's prehensile tail

Antonym:

nonprehensile (not prehensile)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Having a keen intellect

Context example:

poets--those gifted strangely prehensile men

Similar:

intelligent (having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth

Synonyms:

avaricious; covetous; grabby; grasping; greedy; prehensile

Context example:

prehensile employers stingy with raises for their employees

Similar:

acquisitive (eager to acquire and possess things especially material possessions or ideas)

 Context examples 

Was the foot prehensile?

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)