[sense] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF sens sensation, feeling, mechanism of perception, meaning, fr. L sensus, fr. sentire to perceive, feel; perh. akin to OHG sinnan to go, strive, OE sith journey--more at send] (14c) 1: a meaning conveyed or intended: import, signification; esp: one of a set of meanings a word or phrase may bear esp. as segregated in a dictionary entry
2. a: the faculty of perceiving by means of sense organs b: a specialized animal function or mechanism (as sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch) basically involving a stimulus and a sense organ c: the sensory mechanisms constituting a unit distinct from other functions (as movement or thought)
3: conscious awareness or rationality--usu. used in pl. "finally came to his ~s"
4. a: a particular sensation or kind or quality of sensation "a good ~ of balance" b: a definite but often vague awareness or impression "felt a ~ of insecurity" "a ~ of danger" c: a motivating awareness "a ~ of shame" d: a discerning awareness and appreciation "her ~ of humor"
5: consensus "the ~ of the meeting"
6. a: capacity for effective application of the powers of the mind as a basis for action or response: intelligence b: sound mental capacity and understanding typically marked by shrewdness and practicality; also: agreement with or satisfaction of such power "this decision makes ~" 7: one of two opposite directions esp. of motion (as of a point, line, or surface) syn sense, common sense, judgment, wisdom mean ability to reach intelligent conclusions. sense implies a reliable ability to judge and decide with soundness, prudence, and intelligence "a choice showing good sense". common sense suggests an average degree of such ability without sophistication or special knowledge "common sense tells me it's wrong". judgment implies sense tempered and refined by experience, training, and maturity "they relied on her judgment for guidance". wisdom implies sense and judgment far above average "a leader of rare wisdom".
[2]sense vt sensed ; sens.ing (ca. 1531) 1 a: to perceive by the senses b: to be or become conscious of "~ danger"
2: grasp, comprehend
3: to detect automatically esp. in response to a physical stimulus (as light or movement)