Conscience Meaning
/ˈkɒn.ʃəns/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe ethical or moral sense of right and wrong, chiefly as it affects a person’s own behaviour and forms their attitude to their past actions.
nounA personification of the moral sense of right and wrong, usually in the form of a person, a being or merely a voice that gives moral lessons and advices.
Sentence Examples
His lie weighed on his conscience.
Do you have the conscience to do such a thing?
She made the decision according to her own clear conscience.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
His guilty ____ kept him awake all night after lying to his mother.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
After stealing the candy, his guilty ____ forced him to return it and apologize.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English conscience, from Old French conscience, from Latin conscientia (“knowledge within oneself”), from consciens, present participle of conscire (“to know, to be conscious (of wrong)”), from com- (“together”) + scire (“to know”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"As for Grierson, he poured liquor into himself as if it were so much soothing syrup, demonstrating that a good digestion is the highest form of good conscience."
— 1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 159:
"[“]Twer is not a friend of mine testifying against me reluctantly and for conscience’ sake, as the prosecution would have you believe. He is a spy, performing his paid job.[”]"
— 1951, Isaac Asimov, Foundation, Panther Books Ltd, published 1974, part V: The Merchant Princes, chapter 14, page 175:
"‘Then the father has a great fight with his terrible conscience,’ said Munday with granite seriousness. ‘Should he make a row with the police […]? Or should he say nothing about it and condone brutality for fear of appearing in the newspapers?"
— 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 18, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
"Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought."
— c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
His guilty ____ kept him awake all night after lying to his mother.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
After stealing the candy, his guilty ____ forced him to return it and apologize.