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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary con·science ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin conscientia, from conscient-, consciens, present participle of conscire to be conscious, be conscious of guilt, from com- + scireto know — more at science DATE 13th century 1. a. the sense or consciousness of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of one's own conduct, intentions, or character together with a feeling of obligation to do right or be good b. a faculty, power, or principle enjoining good acts c. the part of the superego in psychoanalysis that transmits commands and admonitions to the ego 2. archaic : consciousness 3. conformity to the dictates of conscience : conscientiousness 4. sensitive regard for fairness or justice : scruple • • • - in all conscience English Etymology conscience early 13c., from O.Fr . conscience, from L. conscientia"knowledge within oneself, a moral sense," prp. of conscire "be mutually aware," from com- "with" + scire "to know." Probably a loan-translation of Gk. syneidesis. Sometimes nativized in O.E./M.E. as inwit. Rus. also uses a loan-translation, so-vest, "conscience," lit. "with-knowledge."http://O.Fr Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 conscience con·science / 5kCnFEns; NAmE 5kB:n- / noun1. [C, U] the part of your mind that tells you whether your actions are right or wrong 良心;良知: to have a clear / guilty conscience (= to feel that you have done right / wrong) 问心无愧/有愧 This is a matter of individual conscience (= everyone must make their own judgement about it). 这是关系个人的良知。 He won't let it trouble his conscience. 他不会让这件事搞得自己良心不安的。 ⇨ see also social conscience 2. [U, C] a guilty feeling about sth you have done or failed to do 内疚;愧疚: She was seized by a sudden pang of conscience. 她突然感到一阵内疚。 I have a terrible conscience about it. 我对此事深感愧疚。 3. [U] the fact of behaving in a way that you feel is right even though this may cause problems 凭良心: freedom of conscience (= the freedom to do what you believe to be right) 凭良心行事的自由 Emilia is the voice of conscience in the play. 伊米莉亚在这出戏中是良知的代言人。 ⇨ see also prisoner of conscience IDIOMS ▪ in (all / good) conscience (formal) believing your actions to be fair (认为行为)公正地,公平地,凭良心 SYN honestly :
We cannot in all conscience refuse to help. 凭良心我们不能拒绝去帮助别人。 ▪ on your 'conscience making you feel guilty for doing or failing to do sth 使人内疚;良心不安: I'll write and apologize. I've had it on my conscience for weeks. 我要写信赔礼道歉。几个星期以来我都为此而良心不安。 ⇨ more at prick v. Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English conscience noun ADJ. clear, easy, good I have a clear conscience. | bad, guilty, terrible, troubled, uneasy | civic, moral, political, social a government with no social conscience VERB + CONSCIENCE have He had no conscience about taking his brother's money. | appease, ease, salve, soothe After the feast she spent a week dieting to salve her conscience. | prick, trouble | appeal to, arouse, rouse, stir | wrestle with He wrestled with his conscience all night long. CONSCIENCE + VERB trouble sb Her conscience was troubling her a little. | dictate sth My conscience dictates that I resign. PREP. on your ~ I'm sure she has something on her conscience. It was on his conscience that he hadn't called her. PHRASES a crisis of conscience, freedom of conscience, in (all/good) conscience (= honestly) We cannot in all conscience refuse to help. | a matter of conscience This question is a matter of individual conscience. | a pang/prick/twinge of conscience I had a sudden pang of conscience that I really ought to tell the truth. | the voice of conscience She refused to listen to the voice of conscience. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus-11th Edition n. Function: noun Synonyms: QUALM , compunction, demur, scruple, squeamWebster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged con·science \ˈkänchən(t)s sometimes ˈkȯn-\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Latin conscientia, from conscient-, consciens (present participle of conscire to know, be conscious, from com- + scire to know) + -ia -y — more at science 1. a. : the sense of right or wrong within the individual < decide a matter according to your own conscience > : the awareness of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of one's own conduct, intentions, or character together with a feeling of obligation to do or be that which is recognized as good often felt to be instrumental in producing feelings of guilt or remorse for ill-doing; specifically : the part of the superego in psychoanalysis of which the ego is conscious and through which the commands and admonitions of the superego are communicated to the ego b. : the faculty, power, or principle (as in an individual, nation, or group) that guides toward the right and away from the wrong < conscience rather than professional loyalty was his spiritual leader > < the still small voice of his conscience > 2. obsolete : inmost thought or sense : knowledge of inner self : consciousness < a conscience of having done his duty > 3. a. obsolete : conscientious observance : reverence , regard — used with of or to < mere conscience of royal rank > b. : observance of or loyalty to the dictates of the moral or ethical sense : conscientiousness < forbidden by conscience and by law > < they blunder along badly enough in all conscience — Walter Lippmann > 4. : sensitive regard for fairness or justice : scruple , compunction < a legal advisor with no conscience for his client's feeling > < a profiteer with no conscience > • - in all conscience |
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