Realise

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To become fully aware or understand something ; to cause something to become real or actual ; to obtain money by selling or converting an asset
2. To perceive or grasp a fact or truth clearly ; to bring into existence or actualize an idea or plan ; to convert property or investments into cash
3. To recognize or comprehend mentally ; to make something tangible or effective ; to turn an investment or asset into funds

Etymology: The British spelling "realise" is the same word as "realize", and the two forms have run side by side for centuries. The English stem is "real", from Latin "realis", to which the suffix "-ise" was added. The verb's sense of grasping something as true comes from the older idea of making an abstract notion concrete, as if turning a thought into a thing. The verb also has a more commercial past. French "réaliser" meant to make something real, and in the sense of converting property into cash it was used of turning goods or holdings into money. English took on both the figurative sense of bringing a plan into being and the sense of comprehending a fact, and the "understand clearly" meaning is the one most people use today. Because the spelling differs only in its final letters, British and American editions often print the same entry in two forms, and dictionaries typically list the "-ise" spelling first for British readers.

Synonyms: understand, comprehend, grasp, recognize, perceive

Antonyms: misunderstand, overlook, ignore, disregard, neglect