stream-of-consciousness

[ streem-uh v-kon-shuh s-nis ]
/ ˈstrim əvˈkɒn ʃəs nɪs /

adjective

of, relating to, or characterized by a manner of writing in which a character's thoughts or perceptions are presented as occurring in random form, without regard for logical sequences, syntactic structure, distinctions between various levels of reality, or the like: a stream-of-consciousness novel; a stream-of-consciousness technique.

Words nearby stream-of-consciousness

Definition for stream-of-consciousness (2 of 2)

stream of consciousness

noun

Psychology. thought regarded as a succession of ideas and images constantly moving forward in time.

Origin of stream of consciousness

First recorded in 1885–90

Example sentences from the Web for stream-of-consciousness

British Dictionary definitions for stream-of-consciousness

stream of consciousness

noun

psychol the continuous flow of ideas, thoughts, and feelings forming the content of an individual's consciousness. The term was originated by William James
  1. a literary technique that reveals the flow of thoughts and feelings of characters through long passages of soliloquy
  2. (as modifier)a stream-of-consciousness novel

Cultural definitions for stream-of-consciousness

stream of consciousness

A kind of writing that presents the thoughts of a person or character as they occur. Stream-of-consciousness writing uses devices such as characters speaking to themselves, free association, and lists of words. William Faulkner, James Joyce, and Virginia Woolf wrote stream-of-consciousness novels.