pə(r)ˈsepshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin perception-, perceptio act of taking possession, obtaining, receiving, perceiving, from perceptus (past participle of percipere to take possession of, obtain, receive, perceive) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at perceive
1. : the receipt or collection of profits, rents, or crops — used chiefly in civil law
the lessee had the benefit of … the perception of the profits for the whole term — C.G.Addison
2. obsolete : power of apprehension
matter hath no life nor perception , and is not conscious of its own existence — Richard Bentley †1742
3.
a. : a result of perceiving : observation , discernment
it is a film bristling with sharp perceptions but lacking in coherence — Arthur Knight
b. : a mental image : concept
lyric perceptions of friendship, of love and lust — Edward Hubler
endeavor to correct their perception of what is beautiful by the opinions of other people — A.C.Benson
4.
a. : awareness of the elements of environment through physical sensation : reaction to sensory stimulus
color perception
depth perception
since smell is a chemical sense, a contact is necessary for perception — R.N.Shreve
some sensation of perception of the extremity after amputation is felt by 98 5 of patients — Orthopedics & Traumatic Surgery
b. : physical sensation as interpreted in the light of experience : the integration of sensory impressions of events in the external world by a conscious organism especially as a function of nonconscious expectations derived from past experience and serving as a basis for or as verified by further meaningful motivated action
5.
a. : direct or intuitive recognition : intelligent discernment : appreciation , insight
a clear perception of the uncertain boundary which exists between the liberties freely permitted to the press and the area in which there are bound to be limitations — F.L.Mott
renewed perception into the heart of human activity — H.V.Gregory
b. : a capacity for comprehension : intellectual grasp
persecutors were ordinary, reasonably well-intentioned people lacking in keen perception — C.H.Sykes