capisce

verb

ca·​pisce kə-ˈpēsh How to pronounce capisce (audio)
variants or capiche or less commonly capeesh or capish
chiefly US slang
used to ask if a message, warning, etc., has been understood
… you must use this knowledge for good, not evil, and never for personal gain. Capisce? [=do you understand?]Dutch Mandel
If you didn't want the picture to be seen on the Web, you shouldn't have put it on a Web server, capisce?Angela Gunn
Tony Agrazzi saw himself that way when he looked in a mirror. A guy who saw the flaws in others but forgave them their flaws. Capeesh?Bill Granger

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, 3rd person singular present indicative of capire "to understand," going back (with conjugation change) to Latin capere "to take, catch, comprehend" — more at heave entry 1

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of capisce was in 1873

Dictionary Entries Near capisce

Cite this Entry

“Capisce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capisce. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!