a. [ L. prehensus, p. p. of prehendere to lay hold of, seize; pre- (equiv. to prae before) + hendere (in comp.), akin to E. get: cf. F. préhensile. See Get, and cf. Prison, Prize, n. ] Adapted to seize or grasp; seizing; grasping; as, the prehensile tail of a monkey. [ 1913 Webster ]