apprehension

views updated May 29 2018

ap·pre·hen·sion / ˌapriˈhenshən/ • n. 1. anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen: he felt sick with apprehension.2. understanding; grasp: the pure apprehension of the work of art.3. the action of arresting someone: they acted with intent to prevent lawful apprehension.

Apprehension

views updated Jun 27 2018

APPREHENSION

The seizure and arrest of a person who is suspected of having committed a crime.

A reasonable belief of the possibility of imminent injury or death at the hands of another that justifies a person acting inself-defenseagainst the potential attack.

An apprehension of attack is an element of the defense of self-defense that can be used in a criminal prosecution for assault and battery, manslaughter, or murder. An individual who acts under apprehension of attack does not have to fear injury. It is sufficient that there is a likeli-hood of actual injury to justify the person's taking steps to protect himself or herself.