[con.science] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L conscientia, fr. conscient-, consciens, prp. of conscire to be conscious, be conscious of guilt, fr. com- + scire to know--more at science] (13c) 1 a: the sense or consciousness of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of one's own conduct, intentions, or character together with a feeling of obligation to do right or be good b: a faculty, power, or principle enjoining good acts c: the part of the superego in psychoanalysis that transmits commands and admonitions to the ego
2. archaic: consciousness
3: conformity to the dictates of conscience: conscientiousness
4: sensitive regard for fairness or justice: scruple -- con.science.less adj -- in all conscience or in conscience : in all fairness