conscience

[ kon-shuh ns ]
/ ˈkɒn ʃəns /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR conscience ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action: to follow the dictates of conscience.
the complex of ethical and moral principles that controls or inhibits the actions or thoughts of an individual.
an inhibiting sense of what is prudent: I'd eat another piece of pie but my conscience would bother me.
conscientiousness.
Obsolete. consciousness; self-knowledge.
Obsolete. strict and reverential observance.

Idioms for conscience

    have something on one's conscience, to feel guilty about something, as an act that one considers wrong: She behaves as if she had something on her conscience.
    in all conscience,
    1. in all reason and fairness.
    2. certainly; assuredly.
    Also in conscience.

Origin of conscience

1175–1225; Middle English < Anglo-French < Latin conscientia knowledge, awareness, conscience. See con-, science

OTHER WORDS FROM conscience

con·science·less, adjective con·science·less·ly, adverb con·science·less·ness, noun sub·con·science, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH conscience

conscience conscious

Words nearby conscience

conroe, cons., consanguineous, consanguinity, consarned, conscience, conscience clause, conscience money, conscience-stricken, conscientious, conscientious objection

Words related to conscience

shame, duty, compunction, morals, censor, demur, superego, principles, scruples

Example sentences from the Web for conscience

British Dictionary definitions for conscience

conscience
/ (ˈkɒnʃəns) /

noun

  1. the sense of right and wrong that governs a person's thoughts and actions
  2. regulation of one's actions in conformity to this sense
  3. a supposed universal faculty of moral insight
conscientiousness; diligence
a feeling of guilt or anxiety he has a conscience about his unkind action
obsolete consciousness
in conscience or in all conscience
  1. with regard to truth and justice
  2. certainly
on one's conscience causing feelings of guilt or remorse

Derived forms of conscience

conscienceless, adjective

Word Origin for conscience

C13: from Old French, from Latin conscientia knowledge, consciousness, from conscīre to know; see conscious

Medical definitions for conscience

conscience
[ kŏn′shəns ]

n.

The awareness of a moral or ethical aspect to one's conduct together with the urge to prefer right over wrong.
The part of the superego that judges the ethical nature of one's actions and thoughts and then transmits such determinations to the ego for consideration.

Idioms and Phrases with conscience

conscience

see have a clear conscience; in conscience.