Comprehension, n.
Etymology: [L. comprehensio: cf. F. compréhension.]
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 comrehended 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)
3 more senses
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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for comprehension; he lists it under knowledge.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.