consciousness
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (2)
- an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation“he lost consciousness”
- having knowledge of“he had no awareness of his mistakes”“his sudden consciousness of the problem he faced”“their intelligence and general knowingness was impressive”Synonyms: awarenesscognizancecognisanceknowingness
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Consciousness \Con"scious*ness\, n.
1.The state of being conscious; knowledge of one's own existence, condition, sensations, mental operations, acts, etc. [1913 Webster]
Consciousness is thus, on the one hand, the recognition by the mind or "ego" of its acts and affections; -- in other words, the self-affirmation that certain modifications are known by me, and that these modifications are mine.— Sir W. Hamilton.[1913 Webster]
2.Immediate knowledge or perception of the presence of any object, state, or sensation. See the Note under Attention. [1913 Webster]
Annihilate the consciousness of the object, you annihilate the consciousness of the operation.— Sir W. Hamilton.[1913 Webster]
And, when the steam Which overflowed the soul had passed away, A consciousness remained that it had left. . . . images and precious thoughts That shall not die, and can not be destroyed.— Wordsworth.[1913 Webster]
The consciousness of wrong brought with it the consciousness of weakness.— Froude.[1913 Webster]
3.Feeling, persuasion, or expectation; esp., inward sense of guilt or innocence. [R.] [1913 Webster]
An honest mind is not in the power of a dishonest: to break its peace there must be some guilt or consciousness.— Pope.[1913 Webster]