appreciate

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Originated 1645–55 from Medieval Latin appreciatus (valued or appraised), from Late Latin appretiatus (appraised), from ap- (form of ad- (towards)) + Latin preti(um) (price) (English precious) + -atus.

Cognate to French apprécier. Latin root also origin of English appraise, which has various Romance cognates.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /əˈpɹiː.ʃi.eɪt/, /əˈpɹiː.si.eɪt/, /əˈpɹɪʃ.i.eɪt/
  • (file)
  • Hyphenation: ap‧pre‧ci‧ate

Verb[edit]

appreciate (third-person singular simple present appreciates, present participle appreciating, simple past and past participle appreciated)

  1. (transitive) To be grateful or thankful for.
    Synonym: esteem
    I appreciate your efforts
    We sincerely appreciate your help.
    Any aid will be warmly appreciated.
  2. (transitive) To view as valuable.
    Synonym: esteem
    You must learn to appreciate time
  3. (transitive) To be fully conscious of; understand; be aware of; detect.
    Synonym: grasp
    It is essential for the reader to appreciate how important this argument is.
    I appreciate that what I'm asking you to do is very difficult.
    • 1883, John Lubbock, On the Senses, Instincts and Intelligence of Animals, With Special Reference to Insects:
      to test the power of bees to appreciate colour
    • 2012, BioWare, Mass Effect 3, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Normandy SR-2:
      Eve: You learn to appreciate the light by living in the dark.
  4. (intransitive, transitive) To increase in value.
    Antonym: depreciate
    The value of his portfolio appreciated by 80% over eight years.
    • 1809, David Ramsay, History of South Carolina:
      lest a sudden peace should appreciate the money
    • 1831, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XIX, in Romance and Reality. [], volume I, London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, [], →OCLC, page 234:
      Laughter may be generally classed under three heads,—forced, silly, or vulgar; but hers is the most sweet, real, spirituelle sound possible—it so appreciates the wit, which it increases as it catches—it speaks of spirits so fresh, so youthful!

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