introspection

[ in-truh-spek-shuhn ]
See synonyms for introspection on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. observation or examination of one's own mental and emotional state, mental processes, etc.; the act of looking within oneself.

  2. the tendency or disposition to do this.

Origin of introspection

1
First recorded in 1670–80; from Latin intrōspect(us) “looked within” (past participle of intrōspicere “to look within,” from intrō- intro- + -spicere, combining form of specere “to see, observe, look”) + -iō -ion

Other words for introspection

Other words from introspection

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for introspection

introspection

/ (ˌɪntrəˈspɛkʃən) /


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

Origin of introspection

1
C17: from Latin intrōspicere to look within, from intro- + specere to look

Derived forms of introspection

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012