Perceive the meaning (5)
I believe the answer is:
sense
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'perceive' is the first definition.
(synonyms)
'the meaning' is the second definition.
(sense is a kind of meaning)
(Other definitions for sense that I've seen before include "experience" , "Eg, taste or touch" , "A particular meaning" , "Detect, be aware of" , "Eg, sight, smell" .)