conscience
/ˈkɑn.ʃəns/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.96 in modern English
16
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The ethical or moral sense of right and wrong, chiefly as it affects a person’s own behaviour and forms their attitude to their past actions.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
A personification of the moral sense of right and wrong, usually in the form of a person, a being or merely a voice that gives moral lessons and advices.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
Consciousness; thinking; awareness, especially self-awareness.
Countable; Obsolete; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "Your conscience is your highest authority."
- "1949, Albert Einstein, as quoted by Virgil Henshaw in Albert Einstein: Philosopher Scientist, Never do anything against conscience, even if the state demands it."
- "As for Grierson, he poured liquor into himself as if it were so much soothing syrup, demonstrating that a good digestion is the highest form of good conscience."
- "[“]Twer is not a friend of mine testifying against me reluctantly and for conscience’ sake, as the prosecution would have you believe. He is a spy, performing his paid job.[”]"
- "‘Then the father has a great fight with his terrible conscience,’ said Munday with granite seriousness. ‘Should he make a row with the police […]? Or should he say nothing about it and condone brutality for fear of appearing in the newspapers?"
- "Thus conscience does make cowards of us all; And thus the native hue of resolution Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought."
Etymology
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: *skey-, conscience, conscientia
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈkɑn.ʃəns/
- British English: /ˈkɒn.ʃəns/