understanding

noun

1. the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination

e.g. we are told that man is endowed with reason and capable of distinguishing good from evil

Synonym: reasonintellect

2. the cognitive condition of someone who understands

e.g. he has virtually no understanding of social cause and effect

Synonym: apprehensiondiscernmentsavvy

3. an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

e.g. his sympathies were always with the underdog
I knew I could count on his understanding

Synonym: sympathy

4. the statement (oral or written) of an exchange of promises

e.g. they had an agreement that they would not interfere in each other's business
there was an understanding between management and the workers

Synonym: agreement

adj

1. characterized by understanding based on comprehension and discernment and empathy

e.g. an understanding friend

1. 了解；掌握；知识
If you have an understanding of something, you know how it works or know what it means.

e.g. They have to have a basic understanding of computers in order to use the advanced technology.
要想利用先进技术，他们必须先对计算机有个基本的了解。

2. 能谅解的；宽容的；通情达理的
If you are understanding towards someone, you are kind and forgiving.

e.g. Her boss, who was very understanding, gave her time off...
她的老板很通情达理，准了她的假。
e.g. Fortunately for John, he had an understanding wife.
幸运的是，约翰有一个通情达理的妻子。

3. 理解；谅解
If you show understanding, you show that you realize how someone feels or why they did something, and are not hostile towards them.

e.g. We would like to thank them for their patience and understanding.
我们要感谢他们的耐心和理解。

4. 相互理解；友好互信
If there is understanding between people, they are friendly towards each other and trust each other.

e.g. There was complete understanding between Wilson and myself.
我和威尔逊之间完全能够彼此理解，相互信任。

5. （非正式的）协议
An understanding is an informal agreement about something.

e.g. We had not set a date for marriage but there was an understanding between us.
我们还没有确定结婚的日子，不过我们对此有一致的想法。

6. 了解；领会；理解
If you say that it is your understanding that something is the case, you mean that you believe it to be the case because you have heard or read that it is.

e.g. It is my understanding that this torture has been going on for many years...
据我了解，这种折磨已经持续很多年了。
e.g. Our understanding is that they wanted to be in Washington.
我们的理解是，他们想呆在华盛顿。

7. 以…为条件；假如
If you agree to do something on the understanding that something else will be done, you do it because you have been told that the other thing will definitely be done.

e.g. Kevin had treatment on the understanding that he would attempt to overcome his drinking problem.
凯文接受了治疗，但条件是他要努力克服自身的酗酒问题。

1. 了解：柏拉图认为知识的最高形式是智慧,并从观念论的观点,依知识探究方法与知识本身对象,把人类知识分类成:臆测(Conjecture)、信念(Belief)、了解(Understanding)与纯理性(Pure Reason)四种.