Just yesterday, I was bevelling edges like a pro; today, Blender “insists” on beveling only vertices. My understanding is that bevel works on edges by default. Can I help Blender have that same understanding?
Thank you
I don’t really understand what the question means. 
The bevel option allows you to select the edge or Vertex.
Maybe you (or some addon) change something here?
I dont exactly remember how its work in vanilla, but afaik it always stick to edges despite of selection mode.
Im on 4.2LTS and if i pick bevel tool - it doesnt matter which geometry i select. If i select 1 single vertices - it will run the tool but didnt do anything until i press V to bevel vertices.
If i select 2 vertices which form an edge - then i get a beveled edge.