sensory
UK: ˈsɛnsəri | US: ˈsɛnsəri
adj. relating to sensation or the physical senses
adj. transmitting or processing nerve impulses from the senses
sensory = sens<feel> + ory<relating to>
- sens (from Latin sentire, meaning "to feel" or "perceive")
- ory (Latin-derived suffix indicating "relating to" or "pertaining to")
Etymology Origin:
The word "sensory" originates from the Latin sensus (past participle of sentire, "to feel"), combined with the adjectival suffix -ory. It entered English in the 17th century, primarily used in scientific and medical contexts to describe functions or organs associated with perception. The morpheme sens appears in many English words (e.g., "sense," "sensation"), while -ory is common in adjectives (e.g., "auditory," "mandatory"). The term reflects a logical progression from the act of feeling to the systems enabling it.
The sensory nerves transmit signals from the skin to the brain.
The exhibit offered a rich sensory experience with lights, sounds, and textures.
Sensory deprivation tanks are used for deep relaxation.
Babies rely heavily on sensory input to explore their environment.
The chef aimed to create dishes that delighted all five sensory organs.