I. ˈsen(t)s noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French sen, sens sensation, feeling, mechanism of perception, meaning, from Latin sensus, from sentire to perceive, feel; perhaps akin to Old High German sinnan to go, strive, Old English sith journey — more at send
Date: 14th century
1. : a meaning conveyed or intended : import , signification ; especially : one of a set of meanings a word or phrase may bear especially as segregated in a dictionary entry
2.
a. : the faculty of perceiving by means of sense organs
b. : a specialized function or mechanism (as sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch) by which an animal receives and responds to external or internal stimuli
c. : the sensory mechanisms constituting a unit distinct from other functions (as movement or thought)
3. : conscious awareness or rationality — usually used in plural
finally came to his sense s
4.
a. : a particular sensation or kind or quality of sensation
a good sense of balance
b. : a definite but often vague awareness or impression
felt a sense of insecurity
a sense of danger
c. : a motivating awareness
a sense of shame
d. : a discerning awareness and appreciation
her sense of humor
5. : consensus
the sense 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 sense
7. : one of two opposite directions especially of motion (as of a point, line, or surface)
Synonyms:
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
II. transitive verb
( sensed ; sens·ing )
Date: circa 1531
1.
a. : to perceive by the senses
b. : to be or become conscious of
sense danger
2. : grasp , comprehend
3. : to detect automatically especially in response to a physical stimulus (as light or movement)