ap·pre·hend
 /ˌæprıˈhɛnd/  verb  , -hends, -hend·ed, -hend·ing [  + obj  ]
   formal  
  1 of police : to arrest (someone) for a crime : to catch (a criminal or suspect)
   Within hours, police had apprehended the thief.
  2 somewhat old-fashioned : to notice and understand (something) : perceive
   subtle differences that are difficult to apprehend