Word of the Day : March 3, 2019

sentient \SEN-shee-unt\ adjective

Definition

1 : responsive to or conscious of sense impressions

2 : having or showing realization, perception, or knowledge : aware

3 : finely sensitive in perception or feeling

Did You Know?

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, sensual, which relates to more physical sensations, and the trio of assent, consent, and dissent, which involve one's expressions of agreement (or disagreement in the case of dissent) in thought and feeling with another.

Aired March 3, 2019

All Merriam-Webster content is available at www.merriam-webster.com