Antonyms for sense


Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : sens
Phonetic Transcription : sɛns


Definition of sense

Origin :
  • c.1400, "faculty of perception," also "meaning, import, interpretation" (especially of Holy Scripture), from Old French sens "one of the five senses; meaning; wit, understanding" (12c.) and directly from Latin sensus "perception, feeling, undertaking, meaning," from sentire "perceive, feel, know," probably a figurative use of a literally meaning "to find one's way," or "to go mentally," from PIE root *sent- "to go" (cf. Old High German sinnan "to go, travel, strive after, have in mind, perceive," German Sinn "sense, mind," Old English sið "way, journey," Old Irish set, Welsh hynt "way"). Application to any one of the external or outward senses (touch, sight, hearing, etc.) in English first recorded 1520s.
  • A certain negro tribe has a special word for "see;" but only one general word for "hear," "touch," "smell," and "taste." It matters little through which sense I realize that in the dark I have blundered into a pig-sty. In French "sentir" means to smell, to touch, and to feel, all together. [Erich M. von Hornbostel, "Die Einheit der Sinne" ("The Unity of the Senses"), 1927]
  • Meaning "that which is wise" is from c.1600. Meaning "capacity for perception and appreciation" is from c.1600 (e.g. Sense of humor, attested by 1783, sense of shame, 1640s).
  • noun feeling of animate being
  • noun awareness, perception
  • noun point, meaning
  • verb become aware of
Example sentences :
  • "Well, I'm glad you got some sense," answered the old man, grudgingly.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • He distrusted his eyes, his ears, and every sense that he possessed.
  • Extract from : « Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 » by Various
  • We sense the call of the human heart for fellowship, fraternity, and cooperation.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
  • He had to sense the coming of danger before it showed its face.
  • Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand
  • The intention is, I tell you plainly, to mortify you into a sense of your duty.
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • A President may sense and proclaim that new spirit, but only a people can provide it.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
  • She had a woman's sense of humour, which is not always urbane.
  • Extract from : « Viviette » by William J. Locke
  • If she had said, "Pretty Annie," there would have been some sense in it.
  • Extract from : « Little Annie's Ramble (From "Twice Told Tales") » by Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • She couldn't get over her sense of his parenthood, his authority.
  • Extract from : « Life and Death of Harriett Frean » by May Sinclair
  • Like a sentinel on that solitary plain it overwhelms me with a sense of mystery.
  • Extract from : « Ballads of a Bohemian » by Robert W. Service

Synonyms for sense

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019