senso-, sens-, sensi-, sensori-, sent-
(Latin: feeling, sensation, perception through the senses, to be aware, to discern by the senses)
The words in this list refer either to physical or mental perceptions, or a combination of both. These elements come from Latin sentire, to feel, and the related element sensus, feeling, perception (in both the physical and mental perspectives).
sensorium (s), sensoria (pl)
1. The part of the brain that receives and correlates impressions that are transmitted to various sensory areas.
2. The sensory system.
sensorivascular
Producing vascular changes as a result of stimulation applied through the sensory nerves.
sensory
Connected with the reception and transmission of sense impressions; transmitting impulses from sense organs to nerve centers.
sensual
1. Of the body and the senses as distinguished from the intellect or spirit; bodily or sensual pleasures as opposed to spiritual sensations.
2. Relating to or preoccupied with the gratification of physical appetites, especially the sexual appetite.
Sensual (activities) consist of an unusual fondness for life, liberty, and the happiness of pursuit.
—Evan Esar
sensualism
1. Sensuality.
2. The ethical doctrine that sensual pleasures are the highest good.
sensualist
A person who likes, pursues, or indulges too much in the pleasures of the senses.
sensuality
1. A desire for the pleasures of the senses.
2. An excessive indulgence in the pleasures of the senses; lewdness.
sensualize
To make sensual.
sensually
sensuous
1. Appealing to or enjoying the pleasures of sensation, other than those associated with sex.
Sensuous is distinguished from sensual by gratifying the senses for the sake of aesthetic pleasures or the delight in beauty of color, sound, or form that is induced while sensual tends to imply the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of the appetites (as of gluttony and lust) as an end in itself.
2. Greatly appreciative of the pleasures of sensations.
Sensuous usually means a powerful appeal to the senses or to the esthetic faculties; such as, the sensuous delicacy of a rose petal.
Sensual, on the other hand, refers more to some sexual application; such as, a sensual sculpture of a nude.
The difference between the two words was the original reason for creating the expression sensuous. The poet, John Milton, is said to have invented the word in order to have a synonym for sensual, minus the association with sex. He used the word in an often-quoted formulation of what poetry should be: "simple, sensuous, and passionate".
-A compilation of excerpts found in
Family Word Finder; by editors of the Reader's Digest Association;
Pleasantville, New York; 1975; page 706.
sensuously
sentence
sententious
1. Expressing much in few words; short and pithy (concise and full of meaning); terse (brief and to the point) and forceful.
2. Full of, or fond of using, maxims, proverbs, etc.; especially in a way that is pompous and moralizing; that is, inclined to moralize more than is merited or appreciated.
3. Etymology: "full of meaning," from Middle French (about 1400-1600) sententieux, from Latin sententiosus, "full of meaning, pithy"; from sententia, "opinion, maxim". The meaning of "addicted to pompous moralizing" was first recorded in 1598.
sententiously
1. In a sententious manner; pithily, concisely.
2. In short expressive periods; with striking brevity.
sentience
1. The ability of the nervous system to receive stimuli.
2. The simplest form of cognition, in which there is bare sensing without associated meanings.
3. A capacity for feeling; consciousness.
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