Main Entry:

con·science

Pronunciation:

\ˈkän(t)-shən(t)s\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin conscientia, from conscient-, consciens, present participle of conscire to be conscious, be conscious of guilt, from com- + scire to know — more at science

Date:

13th century

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 ego2archaic : consciousness3: conformity to the dictates of conscience : conscientiousness4: sensitive regard for fairness or justice : scruple

— con·science·less \-ləs\ adjective

— in all conscience or in conscience

: in all fairness