adj. & n.
--adj.
1. awake and aware of one's surroundings and identity.
2 (usu. foll. by of, or that + clause) aware, knowing (conscious of his inferiority).
3 (of actions, emotions, etc.) realized or recognized by the doer; intentional (made a conscious effort not to laugh).
4 (in comb.) aware of; concerned with (appearance-conscious).
--n. (prec. by the) the conscious mind.
Derivatives:
consciously adv.
Etymology: L conscius knowing with others or in oneself f. conscire (as com-, scire know)