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. consciously adv.
[ L conscius knowing with others or in oneself f. conscire (as com-, scire know) ]