Word | sentient |
---|---|
Date | May 27, 2013 |
Type | adjective |
Syllables | SEN-shee-unt |
Etymology | You may have guessed that "sentient" has something to do with the senses. The initial spelling "sent-" or "sens-" is often a giveaway for such a meaning. A "sentient" being is one who perceives and responds to sensations of whatever kind-sight, hearing, touch, taste, or smell. "Sentient" ultimately comes from the Latin verb "sentire," which means "to feel" or "to perceive" and is related to the noun "sensus," meaning "sense." A few related English words are "sentiment" and "sentimental," which have to do with emotions, and "sensual," which relates to more physical "sensations." |
Examples | Both parties to the agreement must be sentient of the risks involved. "Frightened of the potential that a vast automated intelligence represents, we often portray sentient intelligences as the equivalent of machine gods-ones that, in many cases, find us wanting. The concept of a homicidal machine or computer isn't just common; it has a become a trope of modern science fiction." - From an article by Mark Hachman in PC Magazine, April 15, 2013 |
Definition | 1 : responsive to or conscious of sense impressions 2 : having or showing understanding or knowledge : aware 3 : finely sensitive in perception or feeling |
Tags: wordoftheday::adjective
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