conscience
UK: ˈkɒnʃəns | US: ˈkɑːnʃəns
n. a person's moral sense of right and wrong, viewed as acting as a guide to one's behavior
n. the awareness of a moral or ethical aspect to one's conduct
conscience = con<with, together> + sci<know> + ence<noun suffix>
- con<with, together>: From Latin cum, meaning "with" or "together."
- sci<know>: From Latin scire, meaning "to know."
- ence<noun suffix>: A suffix forming abstract nouns indicating a state or quality (e.g., "existence," "patience").
Etymology Origin:
The word "conscience" originates from Latin conscientia ("knowledge within oneself"), combining con- (with) and scire (to know). It reflects the idea of inner moral awareness—a "knowing together" of right and wrong. Over time, it evolved through Old French (conscience) into Middle English, retaining its core meaning of ethical self-judgment.
Her conscience wouldn’t allow her to lie.
He acted according to his conscience, even when it was unpopular.
The thief was haunted by his conscience after the robbery.
A clear conscience is a soft pillow.
She struggled with her conscience before making the decision.