appreciation

From French appréciation.

• IPA^(key): /əˌpɹiː.ʃiˈeɪ.ʃən/
• Rhymes: -eɪʃən

appreciation (countable and uncountable, plural appreciations)

1. A fair valuation or estimate of merit, worth, weight, etc.; recognition of excellence.

   We give to you this trophy as a token of our appreciation of all your years of service.

2. Accurate perception; true estimation.

   an appreciation of the difficulties before us

   an appreciation of colors

   • 2014, Ian Jack, "Is this the end of Britishness", The Guardian, 16 September 2014:

     The English, until relatively recently, seem to have imagined “English” and “British” to be interchangeable, as if Britain was just a bigger England. Our dualism gave us a better appreciation of the nation-state we lived in, though if Britain was a “nation” as well as a “state”, where did that leave Scotland?

   • 1874, John Richard Green, History of the English People, Volume I

     His foreboding showed his appreciation of Henry's character.

3. A rise in value.

• (rise in value): depreciation

appreciate