consciousness
UK: ˈkɒnʃəsnəs | US: ˈkɑːnʃəsnəs
n. the state of being aware of and able to think about oneself, one's surroundings, and one's thoughts
n. (philosophy) the totality of a person's thoughts, feelings, and perceptions as a unified mental experience
consciousness = conscious<aware> + ness<noun suffix>
- conscious (from Latin conscius: *con-<together> + scire<to know>)
- Originally meant "knowing together" (shared knowledge), later narrowed to "aware of one's own thoughts."
- -ness (Old English noun-forming suffix indicating a state or quality)
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin conscius, combining con- (intensive prefix) and scire (to know). It entered English via French conscience, initially meaning moral awareness. By the 17th century, "conscious" shifted to denote self-awareness, and "-ness" was added to abstract the state of being conscious. The evolution reflects a focus inward—from shared knowledge to individual perception.
Her consciousness of the risks made her hesitate.
The patient regained consciousness after the anesthesia wore off.
Artificial intelligence lacks subjective consciousness.
Meditation aims to expand one's consciousness.
The novel explores themes of collective consciousness in society.