Early 19th century; earliest use found in William Kirby (1759–1850), entomologist and naturalist. From classical Latin prehēns-, past participial stem of prehendereprehend + -ory. Compare scientific Latin prehensorius.
Definition of prehensory in US English:
prehensory
adjectivepriˈhɛns(ə)rɪ
= prehensive.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in William Kirby (1759–1850), entomologist and naturalist. From classical Latin prehēns-, past participial stem of prehendere prehend + -ory. Compare scientific Latin prehensorius.