Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Comprehension \Com`pre*hen"sion\, n. [L. comprehensio: cf. F.
   compr['e]hension.]
   1. The act of comprehending, containing, or comprising;
      inclusion.

            In the Old Testament there is a close comprehension
            of the New; in the New, an open discovery of the
            Old.                                  --Hooker.

   2. That which is comprehended or inclosed within narrow
      limits; a summary; an epitome. [Obs.]

            Though not a catalogue of fundamentals, yet . . . a
            comprehension of them.                --Chillingworth.

   3. The capacity of the mind to perceive and understand; the
      power, act, or process of grasping with the intellect;
      perception; understanding; as, a comprehension of abstract
      principles.

   4. (Logic) The complement of attributes which make up the
      notion signified by a general term.

   5. (Rhet.) A figure by which the name of a whole is put for a
      part, or that of a part for a whole, or a definite number
      for an indefinite.

Source : WordNet®

comprehension
     n 1: an ability to understand the meaning or importance of
          something (or the knowledge acquired as a result); "how
          you can do that is beyond my comprehension"; "he was
          famous for his comprehension of American literature"
          [ant: {incomprehension}]
     2: the relation of comprising something; "he admired the
        inclusion of so many ideas in such a short work" [syn: {inclusion}]