apprehension

(noun) fearful expectation or anticipation. Synonyms: apprehensiveness, dread. Example: "The student looked around the examination room with apprehension."

(noun) the cognitive condition of someone who understands. Synonyms: understanding, discernment, savvy. Example: "He has virtually no understanding of social cause and effect."

(noun) painful expectation. Synonyms: misgiving.

(noun) the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal). Synonyms: arrest, catch, collar, pinch, taking into custody. Example: "The policeman on the beat got credit for the collar."