— conscienceless , adj. — consciencelessly , adv. — consciencelessness , n.
/kon"sheuhns/ , n.
1. the inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action: to follow the dictates of conscience.
2. the complex of ethical and moral principles that controls or inhibits the actions or thoughts of an individual.
3. an inhibiting sense of what is prudent: I'd eat another piece of pie but my conscience would bother me.
4. conscientiousness.
5. Obs. consciousness; self-knowledge.
6. Obs. strict and reverential observance.
7. have something on one's conscience , to feel guilty about something, as an act that one considers wrong: She behaves as if she had something on her conscience.
8. in all conscience ,
a. in all reason and fairness.
b. certainly; assuredly.
Also, in conscience .
[ 1175-1225; ME conscientia knowledge, awareness, conscience. See CON-, SCIENCE ]