sense (v.) Look up sense at Dictionary to perceive by the senses, 1590s, from sense (n.). Meaning be conscious inwardly of (ones state or condition) is from 1680s. Meaning perceive (a fact or situation) not by direct perception is from 1872. Related: Sensed; sensing. sense (n.) Look up sense at Dictionary c.1400, faculty of perception, also meaning, import, interpretation (especially of Holy Scripture), from Old French sens one of the five senses; meaning; wit, understanding (12c.) and directly from Latin sensus perception, feeling, undertaking, meaning, from sentire perceive, feel, know, probably a figurative use of a literally meaning to find ones way, or to go mentally, from PIE root *sent- to go (cognates: Old High German sinnan to go, travel, strive after, have in mind, perceive, German Sinn sense, mind, Old English sið way, journey, Old Irish set, Welsh hynt way). Application to any one of the external or outward senses (touch, sight, hearing, etc.) in English first recorded 1520s. A certain negro tribe has a special word for see; but only one general word for hear, touch, smell, and taste. It matters little through which sense I realize that in the dark I have blundered into a pig-sty. In French sentir means to smell, to touch, and to feel, all together. [Erich M. von Hornbostel, Die Einheit der Sinne (The Unity of the Senses), 1927] Meaning that which is wise is from c.1600. Meaning capacity for perception and appreciation is from c.1600 (as in sense of humor, attested by 1783, sense of shame, 1640s).
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 14:33:20 +0000