preconscious

[ pree-kon-shuhs ]

/ priˈkɒn ʃəs /

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adjective

Psychoanalysis. absent from but capable of being readily brought into consciousness.

occurring prior to the development of consciousness.

noun

the preconscious portion of the mind; foreconscious.

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Origin of preconscious

First recorded in 1855–60; pre- + conscious

OTHER WORDS FROM preconscious

pre·con·scious·ly, adverb

Words nearby preconscious

preconcert, precondemn, precondition, preconize, preconquest, preconscious, preconsonantal, precontract, precook, precool, precrime

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use preconscious in a sentence

The brains of blindsighted people appear to exploit preconscious areas of the visual system, yielding sighted behavior without visual experience.
Here’s How We’ll Know an AI Is Conscious - Facts So Romantic|Joel Frohlich|March 29, 2021|Nautilus
On some preconscious level, we never outgrow this expectation or fear about our omnipresent mothers.
Postpartum Stigma: Why My Patient Committed Suicide|Jean Kim|August 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Bones of the mindful Romans—and savage, preconscious trees, indomitable.
Fantasia of the Unconscious|D. H. Lawrence
And his mind, as far back as his preconscious and the upper fringes of his subconscious, agreed with his words.
Psichopath|Gordon Randall Garrett

Dr. Konrad Bern, on the other hand, was difficult to read below the preconscious stage.
Psichopath|Gordon Randall Garrett
So, as far as possible, there must be in me no departure from myself, lest I injure the preconscious dynamic relation.
Fantasia of the Unconscious|D. H. Lawrence
I wish I was a halfway decent telepath, I'd like to know what's going on in your preconscious.
Psichopath|Gordon Randall Garrett

British Dictionary definitions for preconscious

preconscious

/ (priːˈkɒnʃəs) /

adjective

psychol prior to the development of consciousness

noun

psychoanal mental contents or activity not immediately in consciousness but readily brought there

Compare subconscious, unconscious

Derived forms of preconscious

preconsciously, adverbpreconsciousness, noun

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