introspection

[ in-truh-spek-shuhn ]
/ ˌɪn trəˈspɛk ʃən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR introspection ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

observation or examination of one's own mental and emotional state, mental processes, etc.; the act of looking within oneself.
the tendency or disposition to do this.
sympathetic introspection.

Origin of introspection

1670–80; < Latin intrōspect(us), past participle of intrōspicere to look within (equivalent to intrō- intro- + spec(ere) to look + -tus past participle suffix) + -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM introspection

in·tro·spec·tion·al, adjective in·tro·spec·tion·ist, noun, adjective

Words nearby introspection

intromittent, intron, intropin, introrse, introspect, introspection, introspective, introsusception, introversion, introvert, intrude

Words related to introspection

contemplation, reflection, soul-searching, scrutiny, meditation, self-examination, rumination, egoism, self-absorption, brooding, introversion, heart-searching, self-observation, self-questioning

Example sentences from the Web for introspection

British Dictionary definitions for introspection

introspection
/ (ˌɪntrəˈspɛkʃən) /

noun

the examination of one's own thoughts, impressions, and feelings, esp for long periods

Derived forms of introspection

introspectional or introspective, adjective introspectionist, noun introspectively, adverb introspectiveness, noun

Word Origin for introspection

C17: from Latin intrōspicere to look within, from intro- + specere to look

Medical definitions for introspection

introspection
[ ĭn′trə-spĕk′shən ]

n.

Contemplation of one's own thoughts, feelings, and sensations; self-examination.

Other words from introspection

in′tro•spect′ v. in′tro•spec′tive (-tĭv) adj.