senses etymology

Etymology of "Senses"

The word "senses" derives from the Latin word "sensus," which means "perception, feeling, or understanding." It is related to the verb "sentire," which means "to perceive or feel."

Meaning of "Senses"

In English, "senses" refers to the physiological mechanisms by which humans and other organisms perceive and experience the world around them. It encompasses the five traditional senses:

• Sight (vision): The ability to detect and interpret light.
• Hearing (audition): The ability to detect and interpret sound.
• Smell (olfaction): The ability to detect and interpret scents.
• Taste (gustation): The ability to detect and interpret flavors.
• Touch (somatosensation): The ability to detect and interpret physical stimuli, such as pressure, temperature, and pain.

In addition to these five senses, some researchers also recognize other senses, such as:

• Vestibular sense (equilibrioception): The ability to detect and maintain balance and spatial orientation.
• Proprioception: The ability to sense the position and movement of one's own body.
• Interoception: The ability to sense internal bodily states, such as hunger, thirst, and pain.

Origin of "Senses"

The concept of the five senses has been recognized since ancient times. In Greek philosophy, Aristotle identified five primary senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Plato and other philosophers also explored the nature of perception and the role of the senses in human understanding.

The term "senses" has been used in English since at least the 14th century. It has been used both in a literal and a figurative sense. For example, in the figurative sense, people might talk about having a "sixth sense" for something, meaning an intuitive understanding or ability.

senses relate terms

• sense

  Etymology Middle English sens from Old French sens from Latin sensus sensation perc

• senses

  Etymology of Senses The word senses derives from the Latin word sensus which means

• insensible

  Insensible Etymology Insensible derives from the Latin insensibilis meaning incapa

• insensate

  Etymology The word insensate is derived from the Latin word insensatus which means

• Mercedes

  Etymology The name Mercedes is of Spanish origin and is derived from the Spanish word m

• sett

  Etymology The word sett has multiple origins and meanings depending on its specific us

• sensible

  Etymology The word sensible derives from the Latin word sensibilis meaning able to

• quaint

  Etymology The word quaint comes from the Old French word coint meaning refined or

• signification

  Etymology Latin significāre Roots signum sign ficāre to make Meaning

• grasp

  Etymology Old English graspian meaning to seize or take hold of From Proto Germani

• comprehend

  Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It involves tracing