Predictably, we each tend to use the word 'appreciate' in various ways. In fact, each individual tends to do that.
I know I have often used it with the sense of "perceiving and admiring someone's skill." Experts are apt to do this, especially practitioners of the activity on display -- "art", "sport", oratory, negotiation, etc. These are people who may understand the intricate "technical" difficulties that the "artist" has coped with "invisibly",or the sheer native gift required -- difficulties (and requirements) the layman was likely unaware were difficulties at all. "Wow," the expert may say, quietly, to himself. It's not the 'Wow!' of an "aesthetic experience", but it does yield its own pleasure. History also yields a kind of "appreciation". I've done that kind of appreciating when considering the unpromising, deprived background the artist (or, say, a mathematician like Ramanujan) emerged from and soared above. For example, when we understand the complex sophistication required for an artist's pursuit, and we know the primitive community he was raised in, or we learn of how little formal training he had as youth, we might say, "It's hard for most people to appreciate the mountain he had to climb." Then there's the different kind of "appreciation" that is gratitude. "I appreciate your generosity with these kids." They're quite different, these appreciations, and I know others may have still different things in mind on occasion, but one common element behind all these usages is: "rarity". ************** AOL Search: Your one stop for directions, recipes and all other Holiday needs. Search Now. (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1212792382x1200798498/aol?redir=http://searchblog.aol.com/2008/11/04/happy-holidays-from -aol-search/?ncid=emlcntussear00000001)
