conscience
[ kon-shuhns ]
/ ˈkɒn ʃəns /
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noun
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.
the complex of ethical and moral principles that controls or inhibits the actions or thoughts of an individual.
an inhibiting sense of what is prudent: I'd eat another piece of pie but my conscience would bother me.
Obsolete. consciousness; self-knowledge.
Obsolete. strict and reverential observance.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Idioms for conscience
- in all reason and fairness.
- certainly; assuredly.
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.
in all conscience,
Origin of conscience
OTHER WORDS FROM conscience
con·science·less, adjectivecon·science·less·ly, adverbcon·science·less·ness, nounsub·con·science, nounWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH conscience
conscience , consciousDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for conscience
British Dictionary definitions for conscience
conscience
/ (ˈkɒnʃəns) /
noun
- the sense of right and wrong that governs a person's thoughts and actions
- regulation of one's actions in conformity to this sense
- a supposed universal faculty of moral insight
conscientiousness; diligence
a feeling of guilt or anxietyhe has a conscience about his unkind action
obsolete consciousness
in conscience or in all conscience
- with regard to truth and justice
- certainly
on one's conscience causing feelings of guilt or remorse
Derived forms of conscience
conscienceless, adjectiveWord Origin for conscience
C13: from Old French, from Latin conscientia knowledge, consciousness, from conscīre to know; see conscious
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for conscience
conscience
[ kŏn′shəns ]
n.
The awareness of a moral or ethical aspect to one's conduct together with the urge to prefer right over wrong.
The part of the superego that judges the ethical nature of one's actions and thoughts and then transmits such determinations to the ego for consideration.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Idioms and Phrases with conscience
conscience
see have a clear conscience; in conscience.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.