appreciate

verb

Etymology: Originated 1645–55; from Medieval Latin appreciātus (“valued or appraised”), later variant of Late Latin appretiātus (“appraised”), the perfect passive participle of appretiō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from a(d) (“toward”) + preti(um) (“price”) + -ō (first conjugation verb-forming suffix). Cognate to French apprécier. Latin root also origin of English appraise, which has various Romance cognates; see also precious.

1. To be grateful or thankful for.

   “I appreciate your efforts.”

   “We sincerely appreciate your help.”

2. To view as valuable.

   “You must learn to appreciate time.”

3. To be fully conscious of; understand; be aware of; detect.

   “Near-synonyms: realize, grasp, acknowledge”

   “It is essential for the reader to appreciate how important this argument is.”

4. To increase in value.

   “The value of his portfolio appreciated by 80% over eight years.”

   “The sanguine, flattering themselves with the delusive hopes of a speedy termination of the war, were often induced to sell lest a sudden peace should appreciate the money, in which case it was sup­po­sed they would lose the present opportunity of sell­ing to great advantage.”