Main Entry: ¹sense

Pronunciation: \ˈsen(t)s\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French sen, sens sensation, feeling, mechanism of perception, meaning, from Latin sensus, from sentire to perceive, feel; perhaps akin to Old High German sinnan to go, strive, Old English sith journey — more at send

Date: 14th century

1 : a meaning conveyed or intended : import, signification; especially : one of a set of meanings a word or phrase may bear especially as segregated in a dictionary entry
2 a : the faculty of perceiving by means of sense organs b : a specialized function or mechanism (as sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch) by which an animal receives and responds to external or internal stimuli c : the sensory mechanisms constituting a unit distinct from other functions (as movement or thought)
3 : conscious awareness or rationality —usually used in plural <finally came to his senses>
4 a : a particular sensation or kind or quality of sensation <a good sense of balance> b : a definite but often vague awareness or impression <felt a sense of insecurity> <a sense of danger> c : a motivating awareness <a sense of shame> d : a discerning awareness and appreciation <her sense of humor>
5 : consensus <the sense of the meeting>
6 a : capacity for effective application of the powers of the mind as a basis for action or response : intelligence b : sound mental capacity and understanding typically marked by shrewdness and practicality; also : agreement with or satisfaction of such power <this decision makes sense>
7 : one of two opposite directions especially of motion (as of a point, line, or surface)

synonyms sense, common sense, judgment, wisdom mean ability to reach intelligent conclusions. sense implies a reliable ability to judge and decide with soundness, prudence, and intelligence <a choice showing good sense>. common sense suggests an average degree of such ability without sophistication or special knowledge <common sense tells me it's wrong>. judgment implies sense tempered and refined by experience, training, and maturity <they relied on her judgment for guidance>. wisdom implies sense and judgment far above average <a leader of rare wisdom>.